African economies have been primarily affected by reduced global demand and lower prices of commodities such as oil, platinum, nickel, gold, and copper. South Africa could be the first country to fall in recession in Africa.
Brent barrel petroleum spot prices, May 1987 – Oct. 2008. The red dot indicates the price as of 24 December 2008


Russia–Ukraine gas disputes refer to number of disputes between Russian state-controlled gas supplier Gazprom and Ukraine over natural gas supplies, prices and debts.