Tanzania, May 20 -- Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has warned that the escalating Middle East conflict could disrupt fuel supplies, worsen food insecurity and weaken tourism across Africa, urging swift diplomatic efforts to prevent wider economic fallout.

In an opinion article published by CNBC Africa, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said African economies were already beginning to feel the effects of the crisis and called for urgent international action to restore stability.

He said that despite the geographical distance, the Middle East remained central to Africa's economic systems through energy supply chains, trade, labour flows and investment.

Dr Nchemba said Tanzania imports about 59 percent of its fuel from the Middle East, leaving the ...