Nigeria, March 18 -- Rising tensions in the Middle East have once again exposed the fragile energy architecture of many African economies, particularly oil-producing nations that lack sufficient domestic refining capacity. As global markets react to geopolitical uncertainty in one of the world's most strategic oil-producing regions, the ripple effects are already being felt across continents.

For Africa, the implications are both immediate and profound.

The Middle East remains the nerve centre of global oil supply, with key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz serving as the lifeline for a significant portion of the world's crude exports. Any disruption in this corridor - whether through conflict, sanctions or heightened militar...