The energy supply shock stemming from conflict in and around the Mideast Gulf has awoken African policymakers to the economic perils of inadequate downstream and oil inventory capacity. African economies have weathered unprecedented market conditions relatively well over the last five months, with few major supply shortages. Moscow's ban on Russian diesel exports further increases the risk of supply shortages in Africa. Initial August data points to a sharp fall in key Russian and Saudi products imports to the continent. Many Saudi products cargoes to West Africa were going via the Suez Canal even before the Houthis' latest "embargo" threats against Saudi shipments in the Red Sea.