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The Ministry of Trade and Regional Cooperation has announced a revision of retail fuel prices across the country, introducing a significant increase for key petroleum products. The new prices took effect on December 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., following a scheduled monthly adjustment tied to fluctuations in international oil markets.
According to the ministry, retail prices for gasoline, white diesel, and kerosene have each risen by 9 birr per liter. Meanwhile, the prices for aviation fuel, light black diesel, and heavy black diesel will remain unchanged from their November rates.
The ministry explained that the adjustment reflects the recent rise in global crude oil prices and Ethiopia’s continued reliance on imported petroleum products. Price revisions are part of the government’s fuel stabilization mechanism, which aims to balance cost recovery for importers while mitigating the impact on consumers.
New Retail Fuel Prices (Effective December 1, 2018)
• Gasoline: 129 birr and 12 cents per liter
• White diesel: 129 birr and 12 cents per liter
• Kerosene: 129 birr and 12 cents per liter
The uniformity of the new prices across these three products marks a notable shift in Ethiopia’s fuel pricing landscape, where diesel and kerosene have traditionally been priced lower than gasoline due to subsidies targeted at transport and low-income households. The ministry did not specify whether this adjustment signals a phased restructuring of subsidies or a temporary measure in response to market volatility.
Economic analysts note that fuel price increases often trigger secondary effects across the economy, including rising transportation costs and increased prices for goods and services. However, the government maintains that the adjustments are necessary to prevent escalating subsidy burdens on the national budget.
The Ministry of Trade and Regional Cooperation stated that it will continue monitoring global oil trends and will revise domestic prices accordingly in the coming months.
