Africa’s energy sector is gaining speed in 2025, as nations across the continent announce large oil and gas finds, issue new exploration licenses, and undertake ambitious surveys to extract unexplored reserves. The latest development in this lineup includes an oil exploration licensing agreement between the Congo Republic and Qatar.
- Africa’s energy sector is experiencing growth with new oil and gas discoveries underway.
- The Republic of Congo granted an exploration license to QatarEnergy for Nzombo offshore block.
- Rwanda reported its first oil find in Lake Kivu, diversifying its economy beyond tourism and agriculture.
- Namibia and South Africa are preparing for significant offshore drilling projects by 2026.
From Central Africa to the Atlantic coast, governments and foreign oil companies are relying on hydrocarbons to drive economic growth and ensure energy independence.
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Very recently, news reports indicated that QatarEnergy, one of the biggest energy firms in its continental region, and its partners received an exploration license for the Republic of Congo’s Nzombo offshore block.
Under the Production Sharing Contract agreed with the Congolese government, QatarEnergy will own 35%, TotalEnergies (operator) 50%, and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo 15%, as seen in the Gulf Times.
“We are pleased to be awarded this promising offshore block in the Republic of Congo, and to work alongside our valued partners and the Congolese Government,” Qatar Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, who also doubles down as the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, stated: “
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of the Republic of Congo for their valuable cooperation, and we look forward to delivering on a successful exploration campaign in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders,” the minister added.
Located approximately 90 kilometers offshore from Pointe-Noire, the Nzombo block encompasses 1,053 square kilometers and features sea depths exceeding 1,000 meters.
Recent developments in Africa’s oil exploration
13 reservoirs were found in Lake Kivu, which borders Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This was Rwanda’s first-ever oil find, which was reported in January.
The discovery marks a significant turning point in Rwanda’s attempts to diversify its economy, which presently depends heavily on tourism, mining, and agriculture.
In the Southern part of Africa, similar to Namibia, which has been an oil prospect for the past year, French major TotalEnergies announced plans to begin offshore drilling in South Africa in 2026, pending regulatory approval.
Namibia, which, as mentioned earlier, is now regarded as one of the most exciting offshore exploration regions in the world, could soon be designated the title of an African oil-producing nation.
Chevron relayed in April that it was thinking about starting an exploratory well in the Walvis Basin, with a start date of 2026–2027.
The move is being taken as global oil companies vie for a piece of Namibia’s lucrative offshore reserves, where new finds have already prompted parallels to Guyana’s abundant oil resources.
Sierra Leone performed its first offshore 3D seismic survey in almost a decade, working with GeoPartners. The six-week research attempts to reduce the risk of exploration while also providing thorough data to potential investors.
Estimates show that the offshore region might have up to 30 billion barrels of recoverable oil equivalent, including the extremely promising Vega possibility, which is expected to contain 3 billion barrels alone.
Later this year, the government will determine whether to launch a fresh license process.
In July, Azule Energy announced a large offshore gas find in Angola’s Lower Congo Basin. The Gajajeira-01 well, drilled in Block 1/14, discovered gas and condensate-bearing formations, with early estimates of more than 1 trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensate.
And most recently, after a 27-year hiatus, it was reported that drilling has resumed at one of West Africa’s oldest offshore oil fields, as Singapore-based Akrake Petroleum spearheads a major redevelopment of the Sèmè field off the coast of Benin.
