The crisis in the Gulf increases the dependence on coal of Southern African countries

The demand for coal is rising due to the energy crisis caused by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, with prices increasing from $105 to $150 per ton. This situation benefits African exporting countries but increases their dependency on coal while they aim for renewable energy. Major coal consumers like India and China have increased their purchases, and even European countries have reopened coal plants to meet electricity needs. The International Energy Agency predicts a 1.2% rise in global coal demand for 2026, reaching a record consumption of 8.94 billion tons.