How was North Africa of strategic value to the Germans during World War II

Control of North Africa meant control of the Suez Canal which would give them access to vast oil reserves in arabia (they did not have alot of the stuff) and to the indian ocean

Conquering territories in North Africa would give Germans easier access to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea. From there, they would have access to the Middle East and Asia, along with the valuable resources of those regions.