Senegal has increased petrol and diesel prices from August 15, citing surging international oil costs and mounting fuel subsidies…reports Africa Daily news Desk
Senegal has raised the prices of petrol and diesel, with the new rates taking effect from Saturday, August 15, 2026, as the government seeks to contain rising subsidy costs amid a sharp increase in global oil prices.
Under the new pricing structure, super petrol will cost 990 CFA francs per litre, an increase of 70 CFA francs, while diesel will rise to 755 CFA francs per litre, up by 75 CFA francs.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum said the adjustment was driven by an international environment marked by the conflict in the Middle East, which has led to a significant increase in oil prices.
According to the ministry, between July 13 and August 15, the actual prices of diesel and super petrol increased by 26.6 per cent and 12 per cent respectively compared with the price structure used on July 18. Since the beginning of the conflict, the two products have risen by 69 per cent and 61 per cent respectively.
The government said subsidies for the downstream hydrocarbons sector had exceeded 245 billion CFA francs since the beginning of the year.
Without the latest price adjustment, cumulative subsidies borne by the supply chain were projected to reach around 47.27 billion CFA francs between August 15 and September 12, the ministry said.
In response, the government decided to return automotive fuel prices to the levels that were in place before a reduction introduced on December 6, 2025.
The ministry said prices for other petroleum products would remain unchanged.
The adjustment comes as Senegal faces pressure to manage the cost of fuel subsidies while protecting the stability of energy supplies. Rising international oil prices have increased the gap between domestic fuel prices and the actual cost of petroleum products.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum said the new prices were necessary in light of the prevailing international market conditions and the financial burden of maintaining existing subsidies.
The government’s decision means motorists will now pay an additional 70 CFA francs per litre for super petrol and 75 CFA francs more for diesel.
The ministry announced the new pricing structure in a statement dated August 15 in Dakar, saying the measure would apply from the same day.
The latest increase marks a reversal of the fuel price reductions introduced in December last year and comes as global energy markets remain affected by geopolitical tensions.
