Citizens are becoming increasingly worried about a possible flare-up in transportation fares nationwide, as the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company, announced a new price ceiling for petroleum products on the Liberian market.
In a release issued on April 4, 2026, the new adjustment, contained in the petroleum products monthly price circular, reflects the upward trend in wholesale and retail gasoline and fuel. The circular states that the revised prices are: the gasoline wholesale selling price has increased to US$4.81 per gallon, while the retail pump price has increased to US$5.09 per gallon (L$950.00). The fuel oil wholesale selling price has increased to US$6.27 per gallon, and the retail pump price is US$6.55 per gallon (L$1,225.00).
According to the Government, the increase is US$0.22 for gasoline and US$0.77 for fuel oil, noting that the pricing structure remains based on the Central Bank of Liberia exchange rate is L$187.00 to US$1.00 (as of February 13, 2026), ensuring consistency in local currency valuation.
The Government emphasizes that these adjustments are necessary to respond to prevailing market conditions while ensuring the continued availability of petroleum products. Efforts remain focused on maintaining supply stability and preventing disruptions in the downstream petroleum sector. To safeguard consumers, the Inspectorate Team of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in collaboration with LPRC, will intensify monitoring and enforcement efforts to ensure full compliance with the approved pricing structure. The Government also warns against practices such as hoarding, undercutting, or arbitrary price increases, which undermine market stability, thus calling on importers, distributors, and retailers to adhere strictly to the established price ceilings.
The government states that any violations will warrant appropriate actions in line with existing regulations, furthering the government’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and the protection of consumers, while ensuring that the petroleum sector continues to support national economic activities.
The assurance provided by authorities does not seem to be helping ordinary citizens. Over the past two weeks, there has been a significant transportation crisis, leaving commuters at the mercy of commercial drivers who are charging excessively above the recently government-approved transport fares for various destinations. Many passengers shared their concerns with this publication over the weekend, stating that starting today, Monday, April 6, 2026, the already fragile transportation situation will worsen and continue to escalate in the coming days until the current petroleum crisis is resolved.
