As the Iran War broke out and the Strait of Hormuz closed, fuel prices surged and supplies became disrupted. The African countries that thought they had supply deals in place found deliveries being cancelled.  But the world’s largest oil trader turned the Hormuz crisis to its advantage. Vitol was able to strike exclusive deals to become a dominant supplier of fuel to at least five countries in East and Southern Africa covering more than 180 million people.

On this week’s next Africa podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Chief Commodities Correspondent Jack Farchy to discuss his latest investigation into how Vitol was able to strike these deals, how much countries had to pay for security of supply, and just how long the price premium could last.

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As the Iran War broke out and the Strait of Hormuz closed, fuel prices surged and supplies became disrupted. The African countries that thought they had supply deals in place found deliveries being cancelled.&nbsp; But the world&rsquo;s largest oil trader turned the Hormuz crisis to its advantage. Vitol was able to strike exclusive deals to become a dominant supplier of fuel to at least five countries in East and Southern Africa covering more than 180 million people.
On this week&rsquo;s next Africa podcast, Jennifer Zabasajja is joined by Chief Commodities Correspondent Jack Farchy to discuss <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-08-17/vitol-won-exclusive-fuel-deals-to-dominate-africa-at-a-cost?srnd=phx-bigtake">his latest investigation into how Vitol was able to strike these deals</a>, how much countries had to pay for security of supply, and just how long the price premium could last.
For more stories from the region, Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">Next Africa newsletter</a>

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.

Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.

The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.

Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without cliché or assumption.

Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.
Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.
The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.
Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without clich&eacute; or assumption.
Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Inside the stories shaping the world’s fastest-growing continent.

Next Africa

How the Iran War Reshaped Africa’s Oil Trade — At A Cost

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