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Broader market sentiment shifted noticeably in early trading this week as S&P 500 futures climbed 0.8%, signalling renewed investor confidence following volatility driven by geopolitical tensions in critical global shipping lanes. The movement reflects a fundamental recalibration of risk assessments that carries significant implications for European investors with exposure to African energy markets and logistics infrastructure. The underlying catalyst centres on evolving perceptions regarding maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important chokepoints for crude oil transportation. Recent expectations that additional tanker traffic could safely navigate this corridor have temporarily eased concerns about supply disruptions, consequently dampening crude oil prices from earlier advances. This dynamic creates a nuanced environment for European capital managers evaluating African energy investments. For context, approximately 21% of globally traded petroleum flows through the Strait of Hormuz annually. Any disruption to this corridor historically triggers immediate upstream and downstream ripple effects across global energy markets, directly influencing investment appetite for African oil and gas projects. When international crude prices stabilise at lower levels due to reduced perceived risk, African exploration and production companies often face compressed valuations and delayed project financing—a headwind for European equity investors holding positions in this