President John Dramani Mahama has voiced apprehension regarding mounting tensions involving America, Israel, and Iran, cautioning that the expanding turmoil in the Middle East might severely impact Africa’s financial stability.
While addressing a bilateral gathering with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the official residence in Arusha on March 2, 2026, President Mahama characterized the area as the “central hub of global energy resources” and advised that African nations need to prepare for unavoidable disruptions. He conveyed worry regarding the increasing hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, along with reported retaliatory strikes impacting portions of the Arabian Peninsula. According to his assessment, surging petroleum expenses resulting from the strain would directly influence African states, numerous ones significantly depending on imported fuel goods.
The present intensification follows months of elevated friction between Israel and Iran, primarily concerning Tehran’s atomic activities and its purported assistance to militant factions throughout the region. America, a steadfast partner of Israel, has supported Israeli defense measures and expanded its military presence in the Gulf, citing anxieties over regional security and risks to international maritime routes.
Iran, in response, has blamed both Israel and the United States for provocations and has retaliated with aerial and drone assaults aimed at strategic assets within the region. The circumstances have generated anxieties regarding an extensive local conflict, specifically surrounding the Strait of Hormuz — a vital maritime pathway through which a substantial share of the globe’s petroleum supply moves.
International crude rates have already exhibited an increase amid the unpredictability, with experts cautioning that any extended interruption might further burden energy-importing countries, encompassing numerous across Africa.
