Kinshasa residents described the struggle to fill up their vehicles and motorcycles, saying they were being forced onto the black market as pump shortages worsened and the fallout from Trump's Iran war deepened Africa's fuel crisis.

Long lines of motorists at gas stations were observed, with some reporting waits of several hours to refuel.

Another resident called for firm government action to stabilise the market, as some said they were forced to 'tip or bribe' informal fuel sellers.

Some stations that have fuel are charging extra on top of the usual price to be served. 

Fuel prices in Kinshasa have reportedly jumped by up to 33%.

The global energy market has seen huge turmoil since the US and Israeli military operations against Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on Israel and US assets.