The Energy Regulation Board has increased fuel pump prices for April 2026, with diesel, kerosene and Jet A-1 recording significant hikes following a review of petroleum product prices, while Government has moved to cushion consumers by temporarily suspending Excise Duty and Zero Rating of Value Added Tax on petrol and diesel.
ERB Board Chairman James Banda says the price of petrol has been adjusted from 26.61 kwacha to 27.15 kwacha per litre, representing an increase of 0.54 kwacha or 2.03 percent.
Diesel has increased from 23.25 kwacha to 29.78 kwacha per litre, up by 6.53 kwacha or 28.09 percent, while kerosene has risen from 21.06 kwacha to 32.26 kwacha per litre, reflecting an increase of 11.19 kwacha or 53.13 percent.
Jet A-1 has also gone up from 22.39 kwacha to 34.74 kwacha per litre, an increase of 12.35 kwacha or 55.16 percent.
The ERB says the upward adjustment has been driven by significant increases in international oil prices, largely due to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
During the review period, petrol prices rose by 62.84 percent from US$70.32 per barrel to US$114.5 per barrel, while diesel prices increased by 91.89 percent from US$84.74 per barrel to US$162.61 per barrel.
Kerosene and Jet A-1 recorded the highest increase of 102.41 percent, rising from US$83.95 per barrel to US$169.92 per barrel.
Meanwhile, the Zambian Kwacha depreciated slightly against the United States Dollar from 19.18 kwacha to 19.30 kwacha, representing a depreciation of 0.65 percent, further exerting pressure on domestic fuel prices.
Government says the suspension of Excise Duty and Zero Rating of VAT on petrol and diesel will last for a period of three months, from April to June 2026, in a bid to cushion consumers from the sharp rise in global oil prices.
The new prices will take effect at midnight on 31st March 2026 and will remain in force until the next review.
By Rachel Mumba
