Senegal has raised fuel prices by 7% to control ballooning subsidy costs, highlighting Africa’s exposure to global energy shocks stemming from the Iran conflict. The government has nearly exhausted its annual fuel subsidy budget after oil prices exceeded the $85 benchmark used in its financial planning. While several nations are working to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern oil, the continent still imports about 70% of its fuel, leaving governments with difficult fiscal choices. Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania have also raised fuel prices in response to the same pressures. The sustained price surge has pushed African central banks to keep interest rates elevated, dampening economic growth and increasing borrowing costs. The situation also raises concerns about food prices because higher energy and transportation costs can feed through to agricultural production and distribution.