The importance of diesel fuel in Africa cannot be overstated. Given the continent’s dependence on fossil fuels, it is safe to assume that the African economy is largely powered by this fuel source.

Due to reluctance to adopt cleaner energy alternatives, diesel is an important energy source for powering numerous sectors in several African countries.

It is therefore easy to see why high diesel prices can have extremely damaging effects on economic growth in a continent that is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels.

Countries with high diesel prices typically face high inflationary pressures, as an increase in the price of this energy source can lead to an increase in operating costs in some sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing and construction.

If production costs rise, especially in consumer goods industries, the price of the finished product will inevitably rise, which in turn leads to inflation in the entire market.

With that in mind, here are the top 10 African countries struggling with this problem. The countries listed below have the 10 highest diesel prices in Africa, according to GlobalPetrolPrices.

The list was last updated on August 19, 2024. The global average price of diesel was $1.24 per liter, compared to $1.25 in July.

The price of diesel rose in August compared to July in the Central African Republic, as well as in Zimbabwe, the Seychelles and Togo, while diesel prices fell slightly in Malawi and Guinea.

Diesel prices for Sierra Leone and Mozambique remained unchanged. Mauritius and Cameroon are new to the list this month, while Ethiopia has dropped out.