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Egypt raises domestic fuel prices by up to 15% before IMF review

July 25, 2024 at 8:43 am

A worker fills the tank of a vehicle at a petrol station in Cairo on March 2, 2023 as Egypts government announced a new increase in fuel prices [KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images]

Egypt today raised the prices of a wide range of fuel products, the official gazette said, four days before the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conducts a third review of its expanded $8 billion loan programme for the country, Reuters reports.

The official gazette, citing the petroleum ministry, said petrol prices increased by up to 15 per cent per litre, with 80 octane rising to 12.25 Egyptian pounds ($0.25), 92 octane to 13.75 pounds ($0.28) and 95 octane to 15 pounds ($0.15).

Diesel, one of the most commonly used fuels, saw the biggest increase, rising to 11.50 Egyptian pounds ($0.24) from 10 pounds ($0.21).

This is the second time the government has raised fuel prices since the IMF expanded its loan programme by $5 billion in March. Egypt has committed to slashing fuel subsidies as part of the agreement.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said prices of petroleum products will gradually increase until the end of 2025, adding that the government could no longer bear the burden of increasing consumption.

In April, the IMF estimated that Egypt will spend 331 billion Egyptian pounds ($6.85 billion) on fuel subsidies in 2024/25 and 245 billion ($5.07 billion) in 2025/26.

The IMF’s approval for the third review of the expanded loan programme was originally expected on 10 July, but was pushed back to 29 July, with the lender attributing the delay to the finalisation of some policy details. An IMF spokesperson declined to discuss those details.

The IMF is expected to disburse $820 million to Egypt after concluding its review.

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