France, March 14 -- RFI: What impact is the rise in oil prices having on African economies? Have prices at the petrol pump increased? What are the consequences for industry, transport and power stations?

Carlos Lopes: First, there is the impact on prices for imports in the immediate future. We can imagine that prices will continue to rise. A number of countries do not have sufficient reserves to cope with the logistical difficulties we are going to face, with all the demand, whether it was passing through the Gulf countries for refining or coming from the Gulf countries. So we have a whole host of difficulties with insurance. Maritime transport is undergoing a complete reorganisation. All these consequences will of course be reflect...