Netanyahu says Iran ‘decimated,’ Tehran targets Gulf petro-facilities

The geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran have created a cascading crisis with profound implications for European businesses operating across African markets. Following military operations that began in late February 2026, Tehran's strategic response—closing the Strait of Hormuz—has effectively weaponized global energy supplies, pushing crude oil prices beyond $100 per barrel and fundamentally reshaping the investment landscape across the continent. The Strait of Hormuz represents a critical chokepoint in global energy infrastructure, with approximately 20% of the world's oil supplies transiting through its narrow waters annually. Iran's decision to restrict passage has created immediate supply anxieties that ripple far beyond Middle Eastern borders. For European investors with exposure to African energy sectors, currency markets, and import-dependent industries, this represents both a severe headwind and a potential strategic opportunity. The macroeconomic impact on African economies has been immediate and severe. Nigeria, already struggling with currency volatility and fiscal pressures, faces a particularly complex situation: while higher oil prices theoretically benefit the nation's primary export commodity, the broader economic disruptions created by supply chain uncertainty and elevated energy costs throughout the global economy threaten demand destruction. Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa—economies with more diversified but import-heavy structures—face acute cost-of-living pressures as energy-intensive