Africans hit hard by oil prices

Africans are struggling to cope with stubbornly high global oil prices which are forcing many to walk long distances to work or schools, go hungry as food prices skyrocket, and depend on candles to light their homes. Crude oil prices surged to a record $68 a barrel this week on supply concerns, raising fears of further fuel hikes in Africa where burdened families were already reeling from rises.

"I have a car that I have now parked. I cannot afford fuel because I have other needs such as paying school fees for my children, rent and food," said John Shiundu, a shopkeeper outside Nairobi's city centre.

Students have not been spared. "I have to walk for eight km to school and another eight km back home just to save some money," said Lewis Nyirenda, a college student in the Zambian capital Lusaka.

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