Iran War Fuel-Price Shock Is Catching Up With African Nations

Customers refuel vehicles at a gas station, operated by CPC-Egypt, in Cairo.Photographer: Islam Safwat/Bloomberg

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By Paul Burkhardt

March 30, 2026 at 1:02 PM UTC

The fuel-supply shock is starting to hit Africa, weeks after Asian nations reported shortfalls in stocks.

Shortages have emerged at filling stations in countries including Kenya, Ethiopia and Zambia. In South Africa, petrol prices would need to jump almost 30% on April 1, with wholesale diesel set to surge more than 50%, in order to make up for an average under-recovery at the pump over the past month, according to estimates by the Central Energy Fund.