• Fuel prices will rise in April, with gasoline up by $0.14 per liter
• Government cuts fuel taxes by 50% and taps energy fund to ease impact
• Higher global oil prices and currency weakness drive the increase

Namibia will raise fuel prices starting in April, as the government adjusts to rising global costs while trying to shield households and businesses from the full impact.

The price of gasoline will increase by 2.50 Namibian dollars (about $0.14) per liter. Diesel prices, across all grades, will rise by 4 Namibian dollars per liter. The changes were announced on Friday, March 27, by Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse.

APRIL 2026 FUEL PRICE UPDATE

The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME) announces that fuel prices will be adjusted effective 1 April 2026:

Petrol: Increases by N$2.50 per litre.
Diesel (All Grades): Increases by N$4.00 per litre.

Despite significant under-recoveries,… pic.twitter.com/DTx6uSxWdK

— Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME) (@MIMEnamibia) March 27, 2026

Officials say the increase reflects mounting pressure from global markets. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran have pushed up international oil prices, along with shipping and insurance costs. At the same time, the Namibian dollar has weakened against the U.S. dollar, adding to import costs. From March 1 to 23, 2026, the average exchange rate stood at 16.62 Namibian dollars per dollar, compared with 16 in February.

To limit the impact on consumers, the government will temporarily cut fuel taxes by 50% from April through June 2026. It will also draw on the National Energy Fund, which is expected to cover about 500 million Namibian dollars per month to absorb part of the increase.

“The ⁠objective is to smooth price volatility and ensure stability in domestic fuel prices,” Amutse said.

Namibia remains fully dependent on imported petroleum products, as it has no domestic refineries. Annual fuel consumption is estimated at 1.1 billion liters, with diesel accounting for nearly 70% and gasoline about 30%, according to government data.

The minister said current fuel stocks are sufficient to cover between one and two months of national demand. He also urged the public to avoid panic buying and hoarding, warning that unauthorized resale is illegal and that fuel must be handled safely.

Charlène N’dimon