Africa’s fuel supply is coming under serious pressure as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupt critical import routes, leaving several countries with only weeks of petroleum products in reserve. The crisis, linked to the ongoing Iran conflict, has slowed tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most important oil corridors—raising fresh concerns about energy security across the continent.
According to the International Energy Agency, around 600,000 barrels per day of fuel typically shipped from the Middle East to Africa are now at risk. With shipments slowing sharply, governments are scrambling to secure alternative supplies, fearing that wealthier nations could outbid them in an already tightening global market. For many African countries, the situation is becoming increasingly urgent.
Recent data highlights the scale of disruption. Energy analytics firm Kpler reported that petroleum shipments dropped from 580,000 metric tonnes in January to just 183,000 metric tonnes in February—a steep 68.4 per cent decline—before collapsing completely to zero in March. This sudden breakdown reflects how quickly global supply chains can unravel under geopolitical pressure, leaving vulnerable economies exposed.
The impact is already being felt on the ground. In East Africa, countries like Kenya, which rely entirely on imported fuel, are facing growing shortages, with stock levels covering only about three weeks. Some suppliers have begun rationing products, while rural areas report stock-outs. In Ethiopia, the government has urged citizens to cut fuel consumption, prioritising essential services as pressure mounts on limited supplies.
While West Africa is seeing an influx of Russian diesel to fill the gap, the shift signals a broader realignment in global energy trade, with suppliers chasing more profitable markets in Asia. Nigeria appears somewhat shielded due to the Dangote Refinery, but experts warn that the continent remains highly vulnerable. Without urgent investment in local refining and diversified supply sources, Africa risks repeated fuel shocks whenever global tensions flare—making energy security an increasingly fragile reality.
source: punch