South Africa's Constitutional Court on Friday blocked offshore exploration led by Shell along the country's pristine Wild Coast, a setback for the oil major after years of legal challenges by local communities and environmentalists. The ruling is the latest outcome in a series of court cases that have dampened investor appetite and delayed exploration offshore South Africa.

The top court’s decision overturns a 2024 judgment by the Supreme Court of Appeal, which provided a lifeline to oil companies exploring off South Africa’s coast

The Constitutional Court has set aside Shell and Impact Africa's right to explore for oil and gas off the Wild Coast.