Authorities in South Sudan began implementing rolling electricity blackouts in the capital, Juba, on Wednesday, citing disruptions to fuel supplies linked to escalating tensions in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The move is one of several emergency measures being taken across Africa as countries grapple with a tightening fuel crisis.
The disruptions, stemming from attacks on commercial vessels by Houthi forces in Yemen and increased naval activity in response, are forcing shippers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding weeks to delivery times and significantly increasing freight costs. While directly linked to the conflict in the Middle East, the impact is being felt acutely across the African continent, which relies heavily on imported refined petroleum products.
Mauritius has declared an energy emergency after a scheduled fuel shipment failed to arrive, leaving the island nation with approximately three weeks of reserves. Energy Minister Patrick Assirvaden confirmed the government has secured alternative supplies from Singapore, but at a substantially higher price point. The increased cost is expected to be passed on to consumers, exacerbating inflationary pressures.
Zimbabwe is attempting to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices by increasing the mandatory ethanol blending ratio in petrol from 5% to 20%. The move aims to stretch limited supplies of petrol, but comes as fuel prices have already surged by 40% in the last month. Harare street vendor Nicole Mazarura told local media the price increases are crippling small businesses. “The prices of everything have shot up,” she said. “increase the price of soft drinks, so I have to absorb the loss.”
Ethiopia has directed fuel suppliers to prioritize essential sectors, including security agencies, government projects, and key industries. Petrol stations have been instructed to favor public transport vehicles and enforce rationing measures. Reports indicate that fuel supplies have been entirely suspended in the Tigray region amid ongoing political instability.
Kenya is experiencing localized fuel shortages, with approximately 20% of petrol stations reporting stockouts. The industry attributes the shortages to panic buying, while Vivo Energy Kenya, a major fuel distributor, confirmed temporary disruptions due to increased demand. The Kenyan Energy Ministry has denied any widespread shortage, accusing retailers of hoarding fuel in anticipation of price hikes and urging citizens to avoid panic purchases. Beyond fuel, Kenya’s flower export industry, a significant source of foreign exchange, has suffered losses exceeding $4.2 million in the past three weeks due to shipping delays and reduced demand from the Middle East.
Uganda has issued warnings to fuel distributors against price gouging, while South Africa has sought to reassure the public that it currently has sufficient fuel supplies. However, South African officials acknowledge that a prolonged disruption to global shipping lanes could impact both availability and pricing.
Some African ports are poised to benefit from the rerouting of global trade flows. According to Timothy Walker, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, ports such as Walvis Bay in Namibia, Cape Town and Durban in South Africa, Maputo in Mozambique, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania may see increased traffic as tankers seek alternative refueling and supply locations.
Nigeria, Africa’s second-largest oil producer, could see marginal economic benefits from higher crude oil prices and has indicated its willingness to increase production to help stabilize global markets. However, Lagos-based economist Dumebi Oluwole cautioned that increased government revenue will not necessarily translate into immediate relief for consumers. “If international petrol prices rise, transport costs increase everywhere,” Oluwole stated.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that South Sudan relies on imported oil for 96% of its electricity generation, despite possessing significant crude oil reserves. The country exports most of its crude oil, leaving it vulnerable to fluctuations in the global refined products market. Juba’s electricity distributor, Jedco, announced the implementation of rotational power cuts, stating the measures were necessary to manage available energy reserves in light of the ongoing geopolitical situation. Residents report power outages beginning around 4 p.m. Daily, lasting until the following morning.
