Africa’s LNG export capacity is projected to grow in the coming years, with countries such as Nigeria expected to increase output from 22 million tons per annum (mtpa) to over 31 mtpa. Mozambique also has aspirations to raise output from 2.2 mtpa to well over 43 mtpa by the end of the decade. Production growth – in tandem with new discoveries made in Namibia, Ivory Coast and Senegal – affirm the continent’s potential role as a global LNG exporter.

A critical exploration of Africa’s gas and LNG industry future took place during the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris. Against the backdrop of African deepwater gas, LNG and FLNG projects, countries including Senegal, The Republic of the Congo and Mozambique are ascending as formidable exporters, spearheading a transformative charge. Simultaneously, pivotal gas initiatives in Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola stand poised to catalyze domestic industrialization efforts, heralding a new era of economic growth and energy sustainability across the continent.

Sponsored by independent oil company Perenco, the discussion delved into market outlooks, investment trends, regulatory strategies, technological advancements and new players in the African LNG landscape.

Per Magnus Nysveen, Senior Partner&Head of Analysis at Rystad Energy, set the tone for the conversation, emphasizing the increasing demand for LNG as a transition energy. “Africa has the potential to contribute to one-fourth of global gas production, while utilizing resources equitably to address energy poverty,” he said.

Armel Simondin, CEO of Perenco, outlined the company’s strategy in Africa: “We have been involved in gas projects since the 2010s in Africa and we are also involved in gas-to-power projects. Our Gabon project combines gas-to-power and LPG, we will build and develop a tech savvy LPG processing facility in the country.”

Julius Rone, Group Managing Director of UTM Offshore, provided updates on Nigeria’s first indigenous-owned Floating LNG project. UTM FLNG is a floating natural gas liquefaction facility being developed in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It is the first FLNG project to be developed in the country. UTM Offshore is developing the project with an estimated investment of $5 billion.

“We aim to be the first LNG project spearheaded by a local company in Africa. We believe that in Q3 2028 the project will be completed,” he said.

Dr. Bi-Dia-Ayo Ibata, Head of Associations and Guardianship Relations Department, Administrator, SNPC, shared insights into the rapid development of the gas project between Eni and SNPC in the Republic of the Congo. “This project has been one of the fastest in the history of the Congo. The first cargo was sent to Italy in February. The initial phase started with 0.6 mtpa, then increased to 2.6 mtpa by 2025, and beyond that, we plan to produce 3 million tons,” said Ibata.

When asked about the biggest challenges in developing gas projects in Africa, speakers highlighted various obstacles. Ibata underscored the importance of environmental considerations in energy development, advocating for cleaner energy solutions like hydrogen and gas. Rone identified financing as a major hurdle, urging financial institutions to support hydrocarbon projects. Simondin cited infrastructure development and fiscal stability as critical challenges for gas projects.

Meanwhile, Cobie Loper, SVP, Operators and Geographical Sales for Energy Equipment at NOV, emphasized the need to adapt technology to project needs amid the energy transition, stating that, “As an industry, we are still tight with our capital.”

The need for energy access in Africa remains pressing, with 600 million Africans still lacking electricity and clean cooking facilities. “We know that in the West, the energy transition from coal to gas has allowed countries to develop, and Africa must do the same with its natural resources,” Dr. Ibata said. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

The second annual Invest in African Energy (IAE) forum opened in Paris on Tuesday, with OPEC and petroleum ministers from the Republic of Congo and Gabon adopting a unified stance on a just energy transition.

Africa is at a critical nexus in its energy development, as the continent seeks to scale up its energy supplies to meet electrification and industrialization goals, while also balancing climate concerns. As a result, African oil and gas markets are pursuing increased collaboration with international partners, along with an influx of foreign investment and technology to achieve a balanced energy mix.

Congolese Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua highlighted the Congo’s recent measures to create an attractive environment for future investments, including the upcoming submission of a new gas code to the Council of Ministers. The Republic of Congo has recently advanced several large-scale integrated gas projects, including Eni’s Marine XII permit development – targeting the production of 3 million tons of LNG by 2025 – and Wing Wah’s multi-phase Banga Kayo project set to produce 30 billion cubic meters of associated gas.

“Our goal is clear: not only to optimize the use of existing resources, but also to develop local infrastructures and skills that will create a solid and sustainable value chain,” stated Minister Itoua. “We are actively seeking to collaborate with international partners who share our vision of natural resource exploitation that is both fair and sustainable.”

Gabon’s Minister of Petroleum and OPEC 2024 President Marcel Abéké addressed efforts to expand the country’s low-carbon energy supply, as well as valorize associated gas resources. Gabon recently instituted the Global Gas Flaring Reduction initiative to reduce greenhouse gases and is in the process of establishing an incentive tax framework for the development of gas projects, as well as certified its gas reserves and launched a national gas master plan.

“Gabon has entered into a process of energy transition by directing its sectoral policy towards the encouragement of low-cost investment projects,” said Minister Abéké. “This progressive approach… aims to reverse the national energy mix in favor of renewable energies.”

Underscoring Africa’s long-term growth prospects and key drivers of oil demand, OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al-Ghais affirmed OPEC’s commitment to driving Africa’s oil industry forward and fostering dialogue with international partners. By 2045, the continent’s oil demand is expected to double to 8.2 million barrels per day on the back of rising demand from residential, commercial and agricultural sectors, while refining capacity is set to expand by 3.2 million barrels per day.

“OPEC is here today in Paris in full force because we are an integral part of Africa, and Africa is an integral part of OPEC,” said Secretary General Al-Ghais. “The continent offers a vast horizon of undeveloped oil resources, which will be needed to meet future world energy needs. All sources of energy are going to be called upon to meet growing global primary energy demand, which is said to increase by 23% by 2045. Oil is still expected to represent the largest share of the energy mix through 2045, when we see long-term global oil demand rising to 116 million barrels per day.”

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber highlighted that investment in Africa’s energy sector is crucial now more than ever. “This is the time for real partnership… We have to continue to demand a just energy transition for Africa – we have to produce every drop of hydrocarbons in order to transition into clean energies.”

Jude Brice Ondonda, Upstream Petroleum Director of Congolese national oil company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo stated that inn the Congo, SNPC is ready to lead a sustainable energy transformation, while tapping its resources and protecting its environment. “We would like to move towards a clean energy mix… and there is opportunity for investment in this area.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

The Republic of Congo aims to produce three million tons per annum of LNG from the inaugural Marine XII development by 2025. Developed by Italy’s Eni, the project delivered its first LNG cargo this year and has laid the foundation for new investments in Congolese gas.

Speaking during the second annual Invest in African Energy (IAE) conference in Paris, the country’s Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua underscored the role project’s such as this play in the country’s energy transition and how international collaboration serves as a catalyst for both project development and climate resilience.

“We are actively seeking to collaborate with international partners who share our vision of natural resource exploitation that is both fair and sustainable. This collaboration is essential for developing innovative technologies, cleaner production methods and ensuring the equitable distribution of benefits generated by our natural resources,” stated Minister Itoua.

By partnering with foreign firms, African countries stand to accelerate the pace of the transition while unlocking a wave of economic benefits. Contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa also faces the worst impacts of climate change at a time when the continent is making great strides to alleviate energy poverty.

According to Minister Itoua, “We cannot make the transition to a renewable energy-based economy in isolation. It requires international cooperation and a shared willingness to rethink our growth and consumption models.”

As such, the country is inviting foreign investors to collaborate on oil, gas and infrastructure projects. Rich in over 10 trillion cubic of proven natural gas resources, the Republic of Congo is advancing project developments with the goal of addressing energy poverty and driving regional economic growth. Through the adoption of low-carbon technologies and collaborations with international project developers, upcoming projects serve as a benchmark for other gas-rich countries in Africa. In addition to Eni’s Marine XII permit, Wing Wah’s multi-phase Banga Kayo project is expected to produce 30 billion cubic meters of associated gas.

“These initiatives reflect our desire not only to exploit our resources but to use them in a more eco-responsible and sustainable manner. Beyond these projects, our long-term vision for Congo is to create attractive environments for future investments,” Minister Itoua added.

To attract new investment in oil and gas projects, the country is revising existing regulatory frameworks – with a new Gas Code on the horizon – updating existing hydrocarbons codes; while addressing challenges faced by investors.

According to Minister Itoua, “Our goal is clear: not only to optimize the use of existing resources but also to develop local infrastructure and skills that will create a solid and sustainable value chain. These efforts aim to make our projects not only viable but exemplary in terms of environmental respective, and contributing to our region’s sustainable economic development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

The Council today prolonged the mandate of the EU Training Mission in Mozambique, until 30 June 2026, with a budget allocation of over €14 million for this period.

Furthermore, the Council decided to adapt the strategic objectives of the mission to new circumstances, thereby favouring its transition from a training to an assistance model, combining advising, mentoring and specialised training in support of the units of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) of the Mozambican armed forces.

As a consequence of this change, the mission will be renamed EU Military Assistance Mission Mozambique (EUMAM Mozambique), as of 1 September 2024.

As part of the EU’s integrated approach encompassing humanitarian, peacebuilding, security and development actions, EUTM Mozambique was set up in July 2021 with the aim of training and supporting the Mozambican armed forces in protecting the civilian population, and restoring safety and security in the Cabo Delgado province, where the security and humanitarian situation had been continuously deteriorating since 2017.

The mission has supported the capacity building of the units of the Mozambican armed forces that have then become part of the QRF. In particular, the mission has provided military training including operational preparation, specialised training on counter-terrorism, and training and education on the protection of civilians and compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Union External Action: The Diplomatic Service of the European Union.