Seychelles has introduced a measured adjustment to fuel prices as global oil markets remain volatile following the Middle East crisis, pushing pump prices for motor gasoline (mogas) and gas oil (diesel) up by R1.00 per litre. Effective Monday April 13 2026, mogas moved from R20.18 to R21.18 per litre, while diesel adjusted from R20.19 to R21.19.
According to Seychelles Petroleum Company (Seypec) chief executive Captain Adrian Mondon, the R100 increase remains among the lowest seen in the region, reflecting a deliberate and measured response to ongoing pressures in the international market. “While we have kept this adjustment to a minimum, current trends indicate continued upward pressure in the weeks ahead, and we will continue to respond in a careful and measured way,” said CEO Mondon.
The backdrop is a global energy shock driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world’s daily oil and gas supply must pass. In March 2026, Seypec described the outbreak of the Gulf conflict and its immediate consequences. Today, the situation has deepened: crude prices crashed by about 16% on April 8 when a tentative US‑Iran ceasefire was announced, only to recover sharply the next day as the fragility of that agreement became apparent. By Friday April 10, Brent was back above US $96 per barrel. Saudi Arabia confirmed Iranian drone and missile attacks had taken about 600,000 barrels per day of Saudi production capacity offline.
One factor often overlooked is the foreign exchange rate. Petroleum products are traded internationally exclusively in US dollars, so the value of the Seychelles rupee against the dollar directly determines what Seypec pays for every cargo — regardless of oil price movements. The ongoing Middle East conflict has compounded this pressure, as global investors flock to the US dollar as a safe‑haven currency, squeezing the currencies of importing nations. This exchange‑rate effect is outside the control of Seypec or the government, and its impact extends well beyond fuel, affecting the cost of every imported product the country relies upon.
For Seychelles, which imports all its fuel, rising crude prices, higher shipping costs and a stronger US dollar continue to influence the price outlook. Seypec, working closely with the government, has taken steps to manage these pressures, including negotiating supply terms, planning fuel purchases in advance, and employing hedging strategies to reduce cost exposure.
While Seychelles adjusted prices by R1.00 per litre, other countries have seen significantly higher increases in recent weeks. In South Africa, fuel prices have risen by the equivalent of several rupees per litre since early April, with further increases expected. In Réunion, regulated prices rose sharply at the start of the month, while Mauritius has already implemented increases in diesel and is expected to follow with gasoline.
Seypec has reassured the public that there is no shortage of fuel in Seychelles. All products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and LPG, remain fully available across Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and the outer islands. The company maintains adequate stock levels and has secured forward supply to meet national demand.
“We remain committed to ensuring reliable supply and keeping price adjustments as measured and predictable as possible,” Mr Mondon said.
