In the first half of 2025, Ghana has witnessed a significant decline in fuel prices, offering relief to many sectors of the economy. Public transport operators have responded by reducing fares, passing on the benefits to commuters. However, ride-hailing services like Uber, Bolt, and Yango have maintained their fare structures, leading to increased earnings for drivers but leaving passengers without any share in the savings.
A comparative analysis by The High Street Journal shows that while fuel prices have dropped by up to GHS 2.50 per litre since January, ride-hailing apps have not adjusted fares to match the new cost environment. The result is a one-sided windfall: drivers spend less on fuel, yet continue to charge passengers as if fuel prices were still at their January highs.
Findings Across Five Major Oil Marketing Companies
The pricing data from five of Ghana’s leading Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), GOIL, Shell, TotalEnergies, Star Oil, and Puma, provides a clear picture of the declining fuel cost:
| Company | Petrol (Jan 1, 2025) | Petrol (June 3, 2025) | Diesel (Jan 1, 2025) | Diesel (June 3, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOIL | GHS 14.75 | GHS 12.52 | GHS 15.45 | GHS 12.98 |
| Shell | GHS 15.30 | GHS 13.29 | GHS 15.66 | GHS 13.89 |
| TotalEnergies | GHS 15.30 | GHS 12.40 | GHS 15.80 | GHS 12.90 |
| Star Oil | GHS 14.75 | GHS 11.77 | GHS 14.99 | GHS 12.49 |
| Puma Energy | GHS 14.58 | GHS 11.77 | GHS 15.25 | GHS 12.70 |
From these figures, The High Street Journal calculates an average drop of 17.3% in petrol prices and 15.8% in diesel, resulting in a notable reduction in daily fuel expenses for drivers. For a ride-hailing driver using approximately 25 litres of fuel per day, this translates into weekly savings exceeding GHS 60, all while fare revenues remain unchanged.
Stagnant Fares, Rising Margins
Despite these savings, there has been no corresponding drop in fares. Ride-hailing apps in Ghana typically set base rates through centrally managed digital algorithms, which are often slow to respond to localized economic shifts. While these platforms are quick to factor in cost increases, particularly fuel hikes, they rarely pass on the benefits of price reductions to the consumer.
In this case, that rigidity has favoured drivers, who are now enjoying wider profit margins per ride. But it has come at the expense of passengers, who continue to pay fares based on outdated fuel price realities.
Disparity Raises Questions of Fairness
The current situation presents a disparity in the transport sector:
- Public Transport: Operators have adjusted fares to reflect lower fuel costs, passing savings onto consumers.
- Ride-Hailing Services: Platforms have maintained existing fare structures, allowing drivers to benefit from reduced fuel expenses without extending those savings to passengers.
This raises questions about the fairness and transparency of fare-setting practices within the ride-hailing industry, especially when compared to the more responsive public transport sector.
Need for Responsive Fare Mechanisms
The lack of fare adjustments by ride-hailing platforms in the face of declining fuel prices suggests a need for more responsive and transparent fare-setting mechanisms. Aligning fares with operational costs not only ensures fairness for consumers but also maintains trust in the services provided.
