What happens when one of the world’s most important shipping routes becomes too risky to use? The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, also known as the “Gate of Tears”, is less than 30 km wide, but it connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and carries a huge share of global trade.

If ships start avoiding it and sail around Africa instead, the effects could reach us through fuel prices, imports, shipping costs – and even create new opportunities for African ports.

So… why should Africa be watching the “Gate of Tears”? Hear our reporter Robert Nagila unpack its importance in this episode of Africa Watch.

Credit List:

Executive Producers: Sun Lan, Wang Haiyang

Planning Editor: Matthias Muindi

Reporter: Robert Nagila

Digital Producer: Tracy Omballa

Cameraman: Eric Mukenga

Creative Designer: Bemnet Goitom

Video Editors: Dennis Musyoka, George Michuki

Graphic Designer: Edwin Ondiek