The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has announced that the price floor for the second pricing window will increase from September 16, 2026. Petrol will now be sold at a minimum of GHC 16.00 per litre, up from GHC 14.53, while diesel will rise to GHC 16.77 per litre, up from GHC 15.60.
Under the new regulation, no oil marketing company is allowed to sell petrol below GHC 16 or diesel below GHC 16.77 from the effective date. The price floors exclude premiums charged by International Oil Trading Companies (IOTCs) and the operating margins of Bidirectional Integrated Distribution Companies (BIDECs), as well as the marketers' and dealers' margins of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and LPG Marketing Companies (LPGMCs). These margins will be set independently by the companies under the Petroleum Products Pricing Guidelines.
Industry analysts warn that the rise in minimum prices is likely to translate into higher retail prices. The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers predicts that petrol could average GHC 16.26 per litre and diesel GHC 19.07 per litre from September 16. COPEC projects a 4.24% increase for petrol and a 10.23% jump for diesel, citing a global crude price rise from $89.30 to $103.07 per barrel during the window.
COPEC also forecasts LPG to sell at GHC 15.32 per kilogram, following a 16.45% rise in its international FOB price. The Chamber has called on the government to extend its subsidy intervention, proposing a GHC 1 per litre relief for petrol consumers while maintaining a GHC 2 per litre subsidy on diesel.
OMCs are urged to consider reducing their margins to soften the impact on consumers. The NPA’s move is expected to prompt significant adjustments in petroleum product prices across the market.
