The impacts of the Middle East conflict on Africa

This policy brief examines the economic implications of the 2026 Middle East conflict on Africa. It highlights the main transmission channels, including trade disruptions, rising fuel and food prices, increased shipping and insurance costs, and exchange rate pressures, which collectively risk slowing growth and worsening fiscal conditions across the continent. The brief emphasizes how these external shocks interact with structural vulnerabilities, particularly in import-dependent and fragile economies, and may exacerbate inflation, debt burdens, and food insecurity.