Business Insider Africa and GeoPetrolPrices data show Malawi topped the continent in October 2026 with diesel priced at $3.366 per litre, about KSh 434, making it the second‑most expensive country worldwide.

The Central African Republic recorded the second‑highest African diesel price at $2.395 per litre (approximately KSh 309), ranking 23rd globally.

Sierra Leone was third in Africa with diesel at $2.287 per litre (around KSh 295), placing it 33rd worldwide.

Lesotho’s diesel cost $2.129 per litre (about KSh 274), ranking 44th globally.

South Africa’s diesel price stood at $2.118 per litre (roughly KSh 273), 47th in the world.

Zimbabwe recorded diesel at $2.040 per litre (approximately KSh 263), 49th globally.

Rwanda’s diesel price was $1.984 per litre (about KSh 256), ranking 53rd worldwide.

Cape Verde listed diesel at $1.932 per litre (around KSh 249), 56th globally.

Mozambique’s diesel cost $1.819 per litre (roughly KSh 235), placing it 67th worldwide.

Seychelles completed the top‑ten with diesel at $1.811 per litre (about KSh 234), 68th globally.

Kenya’s diesel price in October 2026

Kenya raised diesel by KSh 9.90 per litre on 15 October, lifting the Nairobi pump price to KSh 227.76 per litre.

The Kenyan increase came amid regional adjustments, with South Africa revising diesel on 7 October by R2.84‑R3.24 per litre depending on grade.

A United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report highlighted Nigeria’s diesel surge of 82.7 % between February and August 2026, the steepest rise among surveyed countries.

Sectoral implications of rising diesel costs

Diesel powers freight transport, agricultural machinery, construction equipment and commercial generators, so price hikes affect multiple sectors of the economy.

In Nigeria, the sharp diesel increase has compounded inflationary pressures on businesses, making operational cost control increasingly difficult.