America’s move in Niger

Oil prices shave increased dramatically since the beginning of the new millennia due to demand side factors. From $US26 a barrel in 2000, oil prices peaked at approximately $US147 in 2008. Since then, prices declined due to the financial crisis and repressed global growth. The turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa recently has affected the global supply and pushed the price of oil to approximately $110 a barrel. Consequently, major oil importing countries like the US, China, India and Japan, amongst others, have shifted their attention to sub-Saharan Africa.