Consumers should brace for slightly higher fuel prices in Ghana in the first pricing window of March 2026, as petrol and diesel are expected to record marginal increases at the pumps.
The projection was announced by the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), which attributed the anticipated adjustments to movements in global crude oil prices and changes in international Free On Board (FOB) prices.
“Petroleum prices beginning the 1st window of March 2026, are expected to see some marginal increments across the pumps.”
Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC)
While the projected hikes are described as modest, they underscore the continued sensitivity of fuel prices in Ghana to global market trends.
Petrol Expected to Rise by 3.59%
According to COPEC’s latest pricing outlook, petrol is projected to increase by 3.59 percent in the upcoming window.
“With the international FOB price of petrol increasing from $652.64/MT to $685.27/MT (5.03%) and a currency appreciation of about 0.24%, the retail price of petrol works up to an increment of 3.59%.”
Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC)
As a result, retail petrol prices are expected to range between GHS11.8 per litre and GHS13 per litre, within a ±5 percent margin of the Chamber’s projection.
The increase comes despite a marginal appreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar, which slightly cushioned the impact of rising international prices.
Diesel prices are also projected to edge up, though at a slower pace compared to petrol.
“In the same manner, with the International FOB price of diesel increasing from $695.94/MT to $711.86MT (2.29%) and the cedi’s appreciation averages of 0.24%, the projected retail pump price for diesel in the next window shall work up to an increment of 1.52%.”
Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC)
Diesel is therefore expected to sell between GHS12.73 per litre and GHS14.0 per litre, also within a ±5 percent margin.
The projected rise in diesel prices could have implications for transportation and logistics costs, as diesel remains a key fuel for commercial vehicles and heavy-duty transport operators.
LPG Offers Slight Relief
In contrast to petrol and diesel, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) may offer consumers slight relief in the coming window.
“With the international FOB price of LPG decreasing from $508.77MT to $503.59/MT (-1.5%) and the cedi’s appreciation of about 0.24%, the projected retail price of LPG is expected to decline marginally by -1.57%.”
Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC)
Within a ±5 percent range, LPG is projected to sell between GHS11.48 per kilogram and GHS12.69 per kilogram.
The slight drop in LPG prices could provide some relief to households and small businesses that rely on gas for cooking and commercial activities.
The projected adjustments in fuel prices in Ghana are closely linked to developments on the global oil market.
COPEC noted that global crude oil prices have experienced a marginal uptick of about 1.25 percent, rising from $70.90 per barrel to $71.79 per barrel.
Although the increase appears modest, fluctuations in crude prices often have a direct impact on refined product costs, which ultimately influence pump prices in Ghana.
Cedi Appreciation Moderates Impact
The Ghana cedi recorded a marginal appreciation during the current pricing window, offering slight moderation to the projected increases.
“The cedi witnessed a marginal appreciation against the Dollar to close trading from an average interbank rate of $1:GHS11.0990 at the start of the current window to $1:GHS11.0723 (0.24%) as of the close of window.”
Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC)
The stronger cedi helped offset part of the impact from rising international prices, preventing sharper increases at the pumps.
“It is the expectation of COPEC that the various Oil Marketing Companies would maintain prices across the pumps in order not to overburden the consumer with these expected increments in the coming window.”
Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC)
While the anticipated changes are described as marginal, they reflect the ongoing volatility in international energy markets and their influence on local fuel prices.
For consumers, the first pricing window of March 2026 may bring slightly higher costs for petrol and diesel, even as LPG users enjoy a modest reprieve.
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