fuellatest news & developments
With fuel prices set to rise again, inflation expected to climb and borrowing costs increasing, electric and hybrid vehicles could offer South African consumers a way to reduce their monthly transport costs.
ELECTRIC CARS

Could EVs be South Africa’s answer to rising fuel, power and borrowing costs?

Are rising costs starting to tip the maths in an EV's favour?

  • Ashley Lechman
7 min read
Economists say interest rates are likely to rise.
LESETJA KGANYAGO

How much could the Reserve Bank raise rates this week? Economists weigh in

The Fed has raised rates, fuel prices are climbing and the rand is under pressure. What will the Reserve Bank do?

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
South Africa’s trade conditions are showing tentative signs of recovery after being battered by the surge in fuel prices earlier this year, but rising crude oil prices and higher fuel costs could put renewed pressure on businesses in the months ahead.
TRADE

Trade improves, but the pressure is not over

South African businesses are starting to see some relief — but the next pressure point may already be building.

  • Yogashen Pillay
4 min read
TotalEnergies strengthens its position in the renewable energy market with the acquisition of Shell's European assets, adding significant solar and wind capacity to its portfolio.
TOTALENERGIES

TotalEnergies pumps up controversy in France with cut-price gas

TotalEnergies, which pumps crude oil and refines it into gasoline, also has an extensive network of filling stations throughout France, where retail sales are usually dominated…

  • AFP
4 min read
South Africa’s PayInc Economic Index rose 0.8% month on month in August, following a revised 0.6% increase in July
PAYINC

South Africa’s economic activity strengthens in August, index shows

South Africa’s PayInc Economic Index rose 0.8% month on month in August, but economists warned that fuel-price pressures, weak investment and uncertainty could constrain growth.

  • Yogashen Pillay
3 min read
As South African refineries face pressure to maintain production, flexible technical staffing can help operators complete targeted maintenance while limiting downtime and managing safety risks.
FUEL

How flexible staffing helps petrochemical plants manage maintenance

As South African refineries face pressure to maintain production, flexible technical staffing can help operators complete targeted maintenance while limiting downtime and…

  • Jacques Maritz
4 min read
Brent crude rose above $105 a barrel as attacks on shipping and renewed Middle East hostilities heightened fears of supply disruptions, with possible consequences for South African fuel prices.
CRUDE

Brent crude rises above $105 as Middle East shipping attacks intensify

Brent crude rose above $105 a barrel as attacks on shipping and renewed Middle East hostilities heightened fears of supply disruptions.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
Brent crude has moved closer to $100 a barrel as renewed US-Iran tensions disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising the risk of another South African fuel-price increase in October.
OIL

Brent nears $100 after Hormuz tensions, raising fuel-price concerns

Brent crude has moved closer to $100 a barrel as renewed US-Iran tensions disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising the risk of another South African fuel-price…

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
The rand strengthened, producer and consumer inflation eased, and the average food basket became cheaper in August. But looming fuel increases and subdued salary growth mean household relief may be limited.
PPI

Sunday Review: Inflation eases and food basket costs fall, but fuel hikes loom

The rand strengthened, inflation eased and the food basket fell in August, but higher fuel costs and weak salary growth may limit household relief.

  • Ashley Lechman
  • Yogashen Pillay
6 min read
Stats SA Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) on Wednesday indicated a decrease for the first time in July since February, with inflation having been increasing for the last four months, attributed to rising fuel and global oil prices caused by the Middle East tensions. Economists have welcomed the decrease in inflation.
INFLATION

South Africa's inflation sees first decline in five months amid easing fuel prices

Consumer Price Inflation in South Africa has decreased to 4.3% in July 2026, marking the first decline in five months. Economists and government officials welcome this…

  • Yogashen Pillay
4 min read
The Strait of Hormuz remains the key risk for oil markets this week, with higher crude prices threatening to add further pressure to fuel costs and inflation.
MARKET ANALYSIS

International Energy Agency warns of global oil deficit amid Hormuz bottleneck

The Strait of Hormuz remains the key risk for oil markets this week, with higher crude prices threatening to add further pressure to fuel costs and inflation.

  • Ashley Lechman
3 min read
Cape Town harbour.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

South Africa’s economy is moving again. Now comes the test

PayInc’s July data points to a modest rebound, but a sharp diesel increase and worsening unemployment underline how fragile the improvement remains.

  • Yogashen Pillay
5 min read