#africa-and-middle-east

#africa-and-middle-east

The IEA sees global oil demand falling by 80,000 barrels per day this year, compared with a projected year-on-year rise of 640,000 bpd in its previous monthly report.

The announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has led to the reopening of holy sites to worshippers in occupied East Jerusalem and the removal of a number of movement barriers in the occupied West Bank.

Instead of trying to predict whiplashing oil prices, consider investing in energy ETFs like the Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF and First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure. These ETFs provide exposure to sectors such as pipelines and shipping, independent of oil price fluctuations.

A 'workable system' of transit and shipowner confidence in the security of the transiting vessels is essential. This includes availability of insurance for transiting vessels, facilitating commercial trade financing, and sustained outbound vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Borderless Benchmark Q1 2026 report indicates that the Brazilian real recorded a 0 bps quoted execution cost from multiple providers across two consecutive months, showcasing the stability of the LATAM corridor.

"With that corridor uncertain, itineraries have been cancelled and future plans are on hold."

The sharp decline in oil prices following the announcement played a key role in lifting sentiment. Lower energy costs could help ease inflation pressures and support both consumer demand and corporate margins.

Major indices, including the Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average, all recorded gains, with the Nasdaq delivering its strongest weekly performance since November.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Israel against Iran is creating significant challenges for Gulf Arab nations, which are already feeling the economic strain from rising tensions and instability in the region.

After 40 days of fighting, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with negotiations expected to begin in Islamabad. One key point in Iran's proposal is allowing shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since the war began, causing global oil prices to soar.

The war on Iran has created a ripple effect in the global oil market, leading to increased prices and supply shortages that could push Africa to rethink its energy strategies.

The global impact of the Gulf countries is not limited to oil. This region is a hub of the international economy and if it decides to focus on its defense and to start pulling investments and to stop its [economic] engagement with the international community, the effect will be felt in every household in the world.