Diesel powers a lot in developing nations yet to explore alternative energy sources.
From buses that transport workers to their places of work to high-powered agriculture machines to generators that sustain establishments and medical facilities in areas with unstable energy, diesel has a profound impact on economies at large.
Concerning agriculture, Africa’s farms rely largely on diesel-powered machinery for irrigation, planting, and harvesting.
Trucks transporting produce from rural areas to urban markets operate nearly entirely on diesel.
When prices rise, farmers face higher costs but no additional income, reducing their profit margins and jeopardizing food security.
Consumers end up spending more at marketplaces, exacerbating hunger in areas already prone to shortages.
As it pertains to energy generation, in countries where national electrical systems are still unstable, diesel generators are essential.
They power schools, hospital equipment, and factories amid regular blackouts.
A rise in diesel prices translates directly into greater operational expenses for key services. Small enterprises, unable to withstand these expenditures, frequently reduce operations or shut entirely.
Unlike gasoline, which is mostly used to fuel private automobiles, diesel powers buses, lorries, and long-distance transport trucks in several African countries.
Diesel engines are used in the manufacturing and extraction industries, including cement mills, mines, and oil rigs.
Rising expenses reduce profitability, inhibit investing, and, in certain situations, lead to layoffs.
Expensive diesel is a stumbling block for countries striving to move up the value chain, restricting their capacity to compete with more energy-efficient regions.
With that said, here are the African countries with the highest diesel cost in September, according to data from Global Petrolprices.
Compared to last month’s list, when the global average price of diesel was $1.23 per liter, the same global average currently, the diesel prices for the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Senegal increased marginally
On the other hand, diesel prices for Malawi, Seychelles saw a slight reduction
Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Zimbabwe’s diesel prices remained the same.
Kenya and Uganda are new entrants this month, displacing Ghana and Burundi from the top 10 list.
