Mauritius Fuel Prices Up 17–23% Since Ramgoolam's Campaign Pledge

When Navin Ramgoolam was campaigning ahead of Mauritius's November 2024 general election, he made a promise that resonated with drivers across the island: "When we win, petrol and diesel prices will come down." At the time, petrol cost Rs 66.20 per litre and diesel Rs 63.95. Nearly two years on, that promise looks increasingly hollow. Following the latest price adjustment announced this week, petrol now stands at Rs 77.70 per litre and diesel at Rs 78.35 — representing increases of roughly 17% and 23% respectively compared to the prices in place when Ramgoolam made his pledge. **A brief moment of hope** To be fair to the facts, fuel prices did fall after the Labour-led alliance won the election. Petrol dropped to Rs 61.20 per litre in the weeks following the vote, and continued sliding to Rs 58.45 by 3 March 2026 — briefly appearing to validate the campaign commitment. But even at their lowest point, prices had not fallen as sharply as many voters had been led to expect. The relief was modest and, as it turned out, short-lived. **Then the reversal** From that March low of Rs 58.45, petrol climbed to Rs 64.25 in April, then to Rs 70.65, before reaching the current Rs 77.70 — a rise of more than 33% in just a few months. Diesel has followed a similarly steep trajectory, now sitting at Rs 78.35, actually higher per litre than petrol for the first time in recent memory. The turnaround has caught many Mauritians off guard, particularly lower- and middle-income households who depend heavily on private vehicles or public transport, both of which are directly affected by fuel costs. **What this means** Fuel pricing in Mauritius is regulated by the State Trading Corporation (STC), the government body responsible for importing petroleum products. Prices are adjusted periodically based on global oil markets, exchange rates, and government taxation decisions — meaning the government has both direct and indirect levers to influence what consumers pay at the pump. Critics argue that with world oil prices having fluctuated significantly, the government has had opportunities to cushion consumers from increases through tax adjustments or subsidy mechanisms, as has been done in previous administrations. The question now being asked is whether the political will exists to do so. For ordinary Mauritians, the numbers are tangible: filling a standard 45-litre tank now costs around Rs 3,497 for petrol, compared to roughly Rs 2,979 at the time of the election promise — an extra Rs 518 per fill, or over Rs 1,000 per month for those who fill up twice. With the cost of gas canisters, bread, and electricity also rising in 2026, the fuel price climb adds another layer of pressure to household budgets already stretched thin. The gap between what was promised on the campaign trail and what is being paid at the forecourt is, for many voters, becoming harder to overlook. Source: ION News