Africa is hurting again from a global crisis it had no part in starting. The world’s fastest-growing continent is reeling from the economic impacts of the war in Iran. The latest shock isn’t isolated. It comes after effects from the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
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Phil’s son resolve dispute over NYPD reality showWhen stock markets are rattled, even by war, it usually pays for investors to be patientHe suddenly couldn't speak in space. NASA astronaut says his medical scare remains a mysteryA red fox stows away on a cargo ship, traveling from England to the USA Medicaid 'spend down' may get an older person long-term care coverage but isn't a DIY strategyA photo captures black spots on clothespins that reveal the environmental toll of conflict in TehranThe war in Iran sparks a global fertilizer shortage and threatens food pricesWorries about flying seem to be taking off. Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyAs demand for GLP-1 pills and shots surges, healthy habits are still keyColorectal cancer is rising in younger adults. Here's who is most at risk and symptoms to watch forOne Tech Tip: Here's how AI can help you in your job huntDenver's Catholic archdiocese, famously conservative, enters the Leo eraTrump interrumpe reunión del gabinete sobre Irán y el aumento de precios para hablar de plumones Phil’s son resolve dispute over NYPD reality showWhen stock markets are rattled, even by war, it usually pays for investors to be patientHe suddenly couldn't speak in space. NASA astronaut says his medical scare remains a mysteryA red fox stows away on a cargo ship, traveling from England to the USA Medicaid 'spend down' may get an older person long-term care coverage but isn't a DIY strategyA photo captures black spots on clothespins that reveal the environmental toll of conflict in TehranThe war in Iran sparks a global fertilizer shortage and threatens food pricesWorries about flying seem to be taking off. Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyAs demand for GLP-1 pills and shots surges, healthy habits are still keyColorectal cancer is rising in younger adults. Here's who is most at risk and symptoms to watch forOne Tech Tip: Here's how AI can help you in your job huntDenver's Catholic archdiocese, famously conservative, enters the Leo eraTrump interrumpe reunión del gabinete sobre Irán y el aumento de precios para hablar de plumonesA service employee is filling a car with fuel at a petrol station in Lagos, Nigeria, March 23, 2026. Festus Mwirotsi, 34, scouts for pests and diseases in roses meant for export at Isinya Roses farm in Kajiado, Kenya, March 24, 2026, as Kenya’s flower industry is losing up to $1.4 million a week as the Iran war cuts demand and disrupts shipping. A service employee is filling a car with fuel at a petrol station in Lagos, Nigeria, March 23, 2026. A service employee is filling a car with fuel at a petrol station in Lagos, Nigeria, March 23, 2026. Festus Mwirotsi, 34, scouts for pests and diseases in roses meant for export at Isinya Roses farm in Kajiado, Kenya, March 24, 2026, as Kenya’s flower industry is losing up to $1.4 million a week as the Iran war cuts demand and disrupts shipping. Festus Mwirotsi, 34, scouts for pests and diseases in roses meant for export at Isinya Roses farm in Kajiado, Kenya, March 24, 2026, as Kenya’s flower industry is losing up to $1.4 million a week as the Iran war cuts demand and disrupts shipping. LAGOS, Nigeria — Lagos taxi driver Adegbola Isaac went to the gas station twice last weekend. Each time, the price in the Nigerian city had climbed further and hit 1,350 naira per liter, a nearly 35% increase sinceLike many people across the world, Isaac is one of millions across Africa who are reeling from the economic impacts of the faraway conflict in the Middle East, which began Feb. 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. For many Africans, the fuel price hike because of the Strait of Hormuz being largely closed off worsens the hardships they already struggle with in some of the world’s poorest households.and now the Middle East conflict, the world’s fastest-growing continent — with a population rivaling China and India — is at the painful end of ripple effects that include a global scramble for critical resources like fuel and fertilizer. With the majority of African countries being net importers of refined oil products, the impact has been swift, leading to rising retail fuel prices in Africa and associated increases in the costs of most goods and services. Experts say African countries are critically integrated into global economies and are exposed to global shocks because of their dependence on major economies. The United Nations on Friday said it is pursuing a way to allow fertilizer to resume safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, hoping it would build confidence in wider diplomatic efforts around the Iran war.According to a 2025 report by U.N. Trade and Development, or UNCTAD, which describes Africa as “the epicenter of overlapping global crises,” more than half of the continent’s imports and exports are with five non-African countries. All of Kenya’s fuel comes from the Middle East, particularly from the United Arab Emirates, with its fuel retailers saying 20% of the country’s outlets are already affected. Uganda’s fuel stock was initially projected to last a few weeks. South Africa sources a significant amount of its fuel from Saudi Arabia. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, lacks local refinery capacity and relies on importing refined crude products from Europe.In Zimbabwe, health labor workers protested in favor of an increase in wages as the cost of living rose sharply. In response, the government plans to increase the blending of fuel with ethanol, from the current 5% to 20% ethanol blending. The blend poses a danger to cars, and a higher blend contributes to the emission of pollutants. “I now avoid going into town during peak hours because the fares are too high,” said Washington Nyakarize, an informal cellphone trader who works in Harare’s Central Business District. “If I go later, the charge is a bit lower, but I lose business, because most customers come early in the morning.” After South Africa’s fuel supplies from Saudi Arabia dropped, diesel-dependent industries started to panic-buy, fearing the worst. That is despite the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, or DMPR, saying the country still has untapped strategic reserves and diversified supply routes.Experts say the war could further put Africa in uncharted territory if it lasts longer. “If the conflict persists for another month or two, honestly, we’re going to be in unknown terrain, that no one else, like, no one can really predict, and we just have to wait and see,” said Zainab Usman, a senior research scholar at the New York-based Center on Global Energy Policy.With the global squeeze in oil supply, African governments have begun to look for alternative routes for supplies. Bloomberg reported this week that several countries including South Africa, Kenya and Ghana have reached out to Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery for fuel deals. While it regularly exports jet fuel used in aircraft to the U.S. and Asia, the Dangote refinery this week announced that it completed the sale of 12 shipments of refined petroleum products to several African countries, including Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana and Togo, a first at that scale since reaching full capacity earlier this year. Energy experts say the Dangote refinery could be challenged in meeting growing demands for its products if its planned expansion is slowed down or if there are disruptions to its crude oil supply. “As long as there is a steady supply of crude oil, the refinery has the capacity to meet some of the needs” from across the continent, according to Olufola Wusu, a Lagos-based oil and gas expert who was part of a team that helped review Nigeria’s national gas policy.Adetayo is a West Africa reporter for The Associated Press. He covers news and regional development across West and Central Africa.
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