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Updated 27 March 2026 - Countries across Africa are adopting emergency measures to mitigate fuel shortages and rising energy costs linked to the US-Israel conflict in Iran.
Power cuts and fuel rationing spread
South Sudan's capital, Juba, has introduced rotational electricity blackouts after months of intermittent outages. The state-owned distributor Jedco attributed the move to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has disrupted global fuel supplies. Residents report daily power losses from 16:00 to 04:00, crippling businesses and prompting a shift to costly solar alternatives.
Mauritius faces a similar crisis, with delayed oil shipments leaving the island with just 21 days of reserves. Energy Minister Patrick Assirvaden confirmed an emergency shipment from Singapore, arriving 1 April, but at elevated prices. The country relies almost entirely on imported oil for electricity.
Ethanol blends and sectoral priorities
Zimbabwe has increased ethanol content in petrol from 5% to 20% to stretch dwindling supplies, while scrapping import taxes to curb a 40% price surge in under a month. Vendors in Harare, like soft-drink seller Nicole Mazarura, report doubled transport costs but cannot pass expenses to customers. "If transport costs drop, I can survive," she said.
Ethiopia has ordered fuel suppliers to prioritize security agencies, government projects, and essential goods manufacturing. Public transport is also receiving preferential access, while Tigray's regional authorities have suspended all fuel deliveries amid fears of renewed civil conflict.
Panic buying and industry disruptions
Kenya's energy ministry denied fuel shortages but accused retailers of hoarding amid panic buying. Vivo Energy Kenya, a Shell distributor, acknowledged "temporary stock-outs" at 20% of stations due to surging demand. The floriculture sector has lost $4.2 million in three weeks, with farms discarding half their daily flower exports. The Kenya Ports Authority is prioritizing perishable goods like tea and avocados for diverted shipping routes.
Uganda has warned fuel distributors against price hikes, while South Africa assured citizens of stable supplies-though officials cautioned that prolonged conflict could disrupt future availability.
Winners and losers in regional trade
Some African nations stand to gain from rerouted maritime traffic. Timothy Walker of the Institute for Security Studies noted that ports like Cape Town, Durban, and Dar es Salaam could see increased ship refueling and resupply stops as vessels avoid the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
Nigeria, Africa's second-largest oil producer, may benefit from higher global prices but economists warn that ordinary citizens will face immediate transport cost hikes. "If international petrol prices rise, transport costs increase everywhere," said Lagos-based oil economist Dumebi Oluwole.
Oil dependence exposes vulnerabilities
South Sudan, despite holding East Africa's largest oil reserves, exports most of its crude and imports refined fuel. The country generates 96% of its electricity from oil, leaving it particularly exposed to supply shocks. Jedco's rationing plan aims to "proactively manage" dwindling reserves, but residents like electrical engineer Ereneo Mogga describe the cuts as paralyzing. "This paralyses most businesses," he said.
