In the week ending 2 October 2026, Jet A-1 traded at an average of US$193.85 a barrel in Africa, according to the index published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) using Platts assessments. That is 115% more than the previous year's average. Per litre, it comes to US$1.22, or about 704 CFA francs, before transport, storage, airport fees and taxes.
Fuel is often an airline's largest cost, and it is also a major cost for a mine that flies its crews in and out. Here is where the price comes from, what is added on the way to the wing, and how to buy Jet A-1 in West Africa.
Jet A-1 prices in October 2026
| Region | Cents per gallon | Dollars per barrel | Dollars per tonne | Versus previous year's average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global average | 446.06 | 187.34 | 1,479.44 | +108.1% |
| Africa | 461.55 | 193.85 | 1,530.19 | +115.1% |
| Europe and CIS | 466.55 | 195.95 | 1,546.05 | +115.1% |
| Middle East | 394.21 | 165.57 | 1,307.96 | +97.4% |
| North America | 454.38 | 190.84 | 1,507.64 | +108.3% |
| Asia and Oceania | 414.74 | 174.19 | 1,376.09 | +100.6% |
Week ending 2 October 2026. These are average prices at the refinery, on the physical spot market.
Two figures explain the rise. The benchmark crude, Dated Brent, was worth US$123.52 a barrel that week, 78.7% more than the previous year's average. And the gap between the jet fuel price and crude, the refining margin, reached US$63.82 a barrel, three times more than a year earlier. Kerosene has risen faster than crude itself.
Africa pays 3.5% more than the global average. IATA has published a separate African index since 2 January 2025.
From barrel to litre
| Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 barrel | 158.987 litres |
| 1 US gallon | 3.785 litres |
| 1 tonne of Jet A-1 | about 1,250 litres, with density between 0.775 and 0.840 |
At the African price of 2 October: US$193.85 divided by 158.987 litres gives US$1.22 a litre. At the European Central Bank rate of 30 September 2026, one dollar was worth about 578 CFA francs: the litre therefore comes to about 704 CFA francs, ex refinery.
What is added on the way to the aircraft
The price paid by an aircraft operator includes, on top of the product price:
- sea freight to the port of import;
- storage in a depot, then in the airport depot;
- into-plane service, charged by the airport's approved supplier;
- airport charges on fuel, depending on the country;
- taxes, with different regimes for international and domestic flights;
- the supplier's margin.
This is why the into-wing price varies so much from one airport to another, and why two quotes can only be compared on identical terms: same airport, same volume, same contract length.
Quality is not negotiable
Jet A-1 meets strict standards: the British DEF STAN 91-091 and the American ASTM D1655. A few key requirements:
- a freezing point of minus 47°C at most, against minus 40°C for the Jet A used in the United States;
- a flash point of at least 38°C;
- a density between 775 and 840 kilograms per cubic metre at 15°C.
Each batch travels with its certificate of quality, and the product is checked at every stage, from depot to wing. Fuel contaminated with water, particles or another petroleum product must never reach an aircraft.
How to buy Jet A-1 in West Africa
An airline or business aircraft operator signs a contract with the approved supplier at each airport served, based on an annual volume and a price formula indexed to the Platts assessment.
A mine or remote site with its own airstrip buys in bulk: delivery by dedicated road tanker from a depot, compliant storage on site, and quality checks before each refuelling.
An importer buys cargoes from a refinery in Europe, the Middle East, Asia or Nigeria. The Dangote refinery supplies more than 95% of the Jet A-1 consumed in Nigeria, and exported 1.1 billion litres of aviation fuel to Europe in March and April 2026.
Our view
A price that doubled in a year changes the equation for African airlines, already penalised by fuel dearer than the world average. For them as for mines, security of supply matters as much as price: an aircraft grounded for lack of fuel costs more than a few cents per gallon.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of Jet A1 per litre today?
In the week of 2 October 2026, US$1.22 a litre on average in Africa, or about 704 CFA francs, at the refinery. The into-wing price is higher.
How many litres are in a barrel of Jet A1?
158.987 litres, as for any barrel of oil.
What is the difference between Jet A and Jet A-1?
The freezing point: minus 47°C at most for Jet A-1, minus 40°C for Jet A, used mainly in the United States.
Why is Jet A1 so expensive in 2026?
Because crude rose 78.7% in a year and the kerosene refining margin tripled, according to the IATA index for the week of 2 October 2026.
Can a mine buy Jet A1 in bulk?
Yes, with compliant storage on site and quality checks at every stage, delivered by a dedicated road tanker.
What we do
GraceRoad quotes delivered Jet A-1 for mines, aerodrome operators and aircraft operators in West Africa, with certificate of quality and checks on delivery. Tell us the volume, the location and the frequency, and we will come back with an offer.
Read next: diesel prices in West Africa in 2026 and Dangote refinery: who can buy.
Sources: IATA, "Jet Fuel Price Monitor", week ending 2 October 2026, S&P Global Platts data; European Central Bank, US dollar reference rate of 30 September 2026; The Gazette (Nigeria), 22 July 2026, on Jet A-1 from the Dangote refinery; UK Ministry of Defence, DEF STAN 91-091; ASTM International, D1655.