Mbabane – Motorists and households across the kingdom will pay significantly more for fuel from Friday after the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy announced sharp price increases set to take effect at midnight on Thursday, 7th May 2026.
Petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin are all going up, with the biggest jump hitting diesel users.
Unleaded Petrol (ULP95) will rise from E22.35 to E25.27 per litre, an increase of E2.92. Diesel (0.005% sulphur) will climb from E25.20 to E31.60 per litre, a jump of E6.40, while Illuminating Paraffin will go up from E19.50 to E26.28 per litre, an increase of E6.78. 
The ministry attributed the increases to the ongoing Middle East conflict and shipping restrictions through the Strait of Hormuz, which have tightened global fuel supplies and pushed up oil prices. International crude oil prices rose to an average of USD 110 per barrel in April, up from USD 95 per barrel in March 2026.
The ministry said deficits for all petroleum products ranged between E3.90 and E9.04 per litre during April, resulting in a total deficit of E209 million incurred by oil companies. Government will cover that shortfall from the Strategic Oil Reserve Fund, which serves as a fuel stabilisation fund. The ministry added that Government has cushioned the increases by absorbing 25% of the under-recoveries.
The public has been urged to use fuel efficiently as international oil markets and the Lilangeni/Dollar exchange rate remain volatile.
