• Government keeps retail fuel prices unchanged for April 2026

• Brent crude rises above $90 amid Middle East tensions

• Subsidies and price caps continue to support household purchasing power

The Ivorian government has kept fuel prices unchanged for the period from April 1 to April 30, 2026, despite rising global oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions.

The Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy announced in an official note dated March 31 that the price of unleaded gasoline remains fixed at CFA820 per liter. The government also maintains diesel prices at CFA675 per liter, while kerosene stays at CFA705 per liter.

This decision comes as global oil markets face upward pressure. Brent crude prices exceeded $90 per barrel as of March 10, 2026, marking an increase compared with levels at the start of the year. Tensions in the Middle East have driven this rise and have increased import costs for oil-dependent countries exposed to international market volatility.

Measures to Support Purchasing Power

The government has implemented several measures in recent years to preserve household purchasing power. Authorities have relied on fuel subsidies and price caps to cushion the impact of rising global commodity prices.

The government has also introduced temporary price ceilings on essential goods, including cooking oil, sugar, rice, and meat, to limit inflationary pressures on households.

Data from the National Statistics Agency (Anstat) shows that transport costs fell by 2.3% between February 2025 and February 2026. This decline reflects the impact of government measures on household expenditures.

This article was initially published in French by Ingrid Haffiny

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum