South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has warned that the growing conflict in the Middle East is already hitting Africa’s economy, especially through rising fuel prices and strained supply chains.
Speaking at the Africa Energy Indaba conference in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said the situation is a reminder that many African economies still depend heavily on imported energy and global trade routes.
When those global systems shake, Africa feels it quickly.
Global conflict is driving the energy price surge
The current tension involves strikes between Israel, the United States and Iran.
The attacks have disrupted oil and gas infrastructure and shipping routes across the Middle East, one of the world’s biggest energy supply regions.
A major flashpoint is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas is transported every day.
When fighting escalates in this region, global energy markets immediately react.
Recent attacks and tanker incidents have slowed shipping in the strait, leaving hundreds of oil tankers stranded and disrupting global energy flows.
As a result:
Brent crude oil prices have climbed to about $83–$84 per barrel, up sharply in recent days.
Analysts say oil could rise above $100 per barrel if the conflict worsens or shipping is blocked longer.
Early market reactions saw oil prices jump as much as 13% in a single day, one of the biggest spikes in nearly three years.
Even attacks on energy facilities, such as a drone strike on the Ras Tanura oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, have added to fears of supply shortages.
Why Africa is feeling the heat
According to Ramaphosa, Africa is already seeing the consequences.
Many African countries import large amounts of refined fuel and energy, meaning global price increases directly affect local economies.
“Africa is already experiencing the impact… with strains on supply chains and higher energy prices,” he said at the conference.
This situation is very similar to what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war.
Both crises disrupted supply chains and pushed global prices up, affecting African economies that rely heavily on imports.
What this means for Ghana and other African countries
For countries like Ghana, the impact can quickly be felt in everyday life.
1. Higher fuel prices
When global oil prices increase, fuel at the pump also rises. This can affect transport fares, the cost of goods and food, and electricity generation costs.
In Ghana, where transport and logistics heavily depend on fuel, even a $10 increase in oil prices can push pump prices up significantly.
2. Inflation pressure
Energy costs affect almost every sector transport, manufacturing, agriculture and imports. When fuel prices rise, businesses pass the cost on to consumers.
3. Supply chain disruptions
If shipping routes remain unstable, delivery of goods from crude oil to consumer products can slow down and become more expensive.
Not all bad news for some African economies
Interestingly, there could also be some benefits for certain African countries.
Major oil exporters such as Nigeria, Angola, Libya, and Algeria could earn extra revenue from higher oil prices if the conflict continues.
Meanwhile, gold prices are also rising amid global uncertainty, potentially benefiting gold producers like Ghana and South Africa.
Ramaphosa’s warning to Africa
Ramaphosa stressed that the crisis highlights a deeper issue. Africa’s heavy dependence on imported energy and global supply systems.
In simple terms, when global tensions increase, African economies become vulnerable.
That is why leaders are now calling for more local energy production, investment in renewable energy, and stronger regional supply chains so that Africa is not always at the mercy of global crises.
What is happening thousands of kilometres away in the Middle East can quickly affect the price of fuel, food and transport across Africa.
And as Ramaphosa warned, the current crisis shows why the continent must strengthen its energy independence.
