Cheap petrol in Africa is no longer just about who produces crude. It is now about who still protects the local pump.
That is what April’s petrol price data from GlobalPetrolPrices.com shows. The countries with the cheapest petrol in Africa are the ones still using subsidies, state pricing and domestic refining to keep fuel costs low. The countries that have stepped back and left pricing to the market are the ones where petrol is now much more expensive.
Libya, Angola and Algeria topped the list in April because they still keep fuel under state control. Nigeria made the list too, but only because many African countries now pay even more.
Top 10 African Countries With the Cheapest Petrol Prices in April 2026
1. Libya: $0.024/litre (₦33.00)
- Crude Output: 1.43 million bpd
- Refinery: Zawiya Refinery
- Capacity: 120,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 120,000 bpd
- Subsidy: Yes
- Why cheap: Libyan government fixes pump prices and pays most of the cost itself.
2. Angola: $0.327/litre (₦449.60)
- Crude Output: 1.10 million bpd
- Refinery: Luanda Refinery
- Capacity: 65,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 65,000 bpd
- Subsidy: Yes
- Why cheap: Angola still supports petrol prices despite cutting subsidy.
3. Algeria: $0.36/litre (₦494.98)
- Crude Output: 900,000 bpd
- Refinery: Skikda Refinery
- Capacity: 355,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 330,000 bpd
- Subsidy: Yes
- Why cheap: Algeria refines locally and still keeps petrol under state control.
4. Egypt: $0.45/litre (₦618.72)
- Crude Output: 560,000 bpd
- Refinery: Mostorod Refinery
- Capacity: 142,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 120,000 bpd
- Subsidy: Yes
- Why cheap: Egypt still regulates fuel and cushions pump prices.
5. Sudan: $0.70/litre (₦962.46)
- Crude Output: 65,000 bpd
- Refinery: Khartoum Refinery ( Partly working)
- Capacity: 100,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 50,000 bpd
- Subsidy: Yes
- Why cheap: Sudan fixes official prices, though shortages often push real cost higher.
6. Tunisia: $0.88/litre (₦1,209.95)
- Crude Output: 35,000 bpd
- Refinery: Bizerte Refinery
- Capacity: 34,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 30,000 bpd
- Subsidy: Yes
- Why cheap: Tunisia still partly subsidized for motorists from full market pricing.
7. Nigeria: $0.886/litre (₦1,217.75)
- Crude Output: 1.45 million bpd
- Refinery: Dangote Refinery
- Capacity: 650,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 550,000 bpd
- Subsidy: No
- Why cheap: Nigeria is only cheaper than more import-dependent markets, not truly cheap.
8. Niger: $0.892/litre (₦1,226.00)
- Crude Output: 20,000 bpd
- Refinery: Soraz Refinery
- Capacity: 20,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 18,000 bpd
- Subsidy: Yes
- Why cheap: Niger refines some local crude and still controls pricing.
9. Ethiopia: $0.905/litre (₦1,244.32)
- Crude Output: Zero
- Refinery: No active refinery
- Capacity: Zero
- Refined Daily: Zero
- Subsidy: Partial
- Why cheap: Ethiopia still manages fuel prices, but imports keep costs high.
10. Gabon — $1.061/litre (₦1,458.52)
- Crude Output: 220,000 bpd
- Refinery: SOGARA Refinery
- Capacity: 24,000 bpd
- Refined Daily: 20,000 bpd
- Subsidy: Partial
- Why cheap: Gabon produces crude, but local fuel distribution remains very costly.
Why Libya Still Sells Petrol Cheaper Than Nigeria
Libya still keeps petrol cheap because the government still carries the burden. Nigeria no longer does.
That is the real difference between both markets. Libya still fixes price and pays subsidy. Nigeria now leaves petrol to International rates, FX, depot cost, transport and open-market pricing. That is why Libya sells petrol at ₦33 per litre and Nigeria sells above ₦1,200.
Market Outlook
The cheapest petrol markets in Africa are not the freest markets. They are the most protected.
That is the pattern April has made clear. Where governments still carry part of the cost, petrol stays cheaper. Where they do not, motorists pay the full market price.