Fuel prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene have remained unchanged following the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s December price review.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced that there would be no adjustment in the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene in its December review. This means consumers will continue buying the three key petroleum products at the same rates that were in place before the latest assessment.
In its statement, EPRA clarified that the current fuel prices already include all applicable taxes as required by law. The authority said the prices factor in the 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), in line with the provisions of the Finance Act 2023. EPRA further noted that the pricing framework also complies with the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024, which guides how taxes are applied to petroleum products in the country.
Additionally, the regulator explained that excise duty charges have been applied using revised rates that take inflation into account. These adjustments are based on Legal Notice No. 194 of 2020, which provides for inflation-based reviews of excise duty. According to EPRA, the inclusion of these elements ensures that fuel prices are calculated transparently and within the existing legal framework.
By keeping prices unchanged, EPRA signaled stability in the local fuel market for the December review period. The decision means there will be no immediate increase or decrease in fuel costs for households, businesses and transport operators who rely heavily on petrol, diesel and kerosene for daily activities.
EPRA’s regular monthly reviews are intended to balance market realities with legal and tax obligations, while protecting consumers from sudden price shocks. In this case, the authority opted to maintain the prevailing prices, confirming that all statutory taxes and duties have already been fully accounted for.
The regulator did not indicate any changes to the tax structure itself, instead emphasizing compliance with existing laws and regulations. As a result, fuel consumers will continue paying prices that reflect the current VAT rate, amended tax laws and inflation-adjusted excise duty, as outlined in the relevant legal instruments.
EPRA’s December announcement reinforces the role of the regulator in overseeing fuel pricing and ensuring consistency with national tax policies and established legal notices.