Central Africa (Enmaeya News) — African countries are increasingly looking to oil and gas to boost their economies and secure energy independence, drawing global energy companies to the continent’s coasts.
Recently, QatarEnergy and its partners were granted a license to explore the Nzombo offshore block in the Republic of Congo. Under the agreement, QatarEnergy will own 35%, TotalEnergies (the operator) 50%, and the Congolese state oil company 15%, according to the Gulf Times.
Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Energy Minister and QatarEnergy CEO, thanked the Congolese government and said he looks forward to a successful exploration campaign. The Nzombo block covers 1,053 square kilometers, about 90 kilometers from Pointe-Noire, with water depths over 1,000 meters.
Rwanda also made its first oil discovery in January, finding 13 reservoirs in Lake Kivu. Officials hope this will help diversify the economy, which relies mainly on tourism, mining, and agriculture.
Southern Africa is seeing similar developments. Namibia has become a major offshore prospect. Chevron is considering drilling an exploratory well in the Walvis Basin around 2026–2027.
TotalEnergies also plans to start offshore drilling in South Africa in 2026, pending regulatory approval. These discoveries are drawing comparisons to Guyana’s booming oil sector.
Sierra Leone recently conducted its first offshore 3D seismic survey in almost a decade with GeoPartners. The six-week study aims to reduce exploration risks and provide data for investors.
Estimates suggest the region may hold up to 30 billion barrels of recoverable oil, including the Vega prospect, which could contain 3 billion barrels. Officials may open a new licensing process later this year.
In Angola, Azule Energy discovered a large offshore gas field in the Lower Congo Basin. Early estimates indicate over 1 trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensate in the Gajajeira-01 well.
Meanwhile, Singapore-based Akrake Petroleum resumed drilling at Benin’s Sèmè field after 27 years, redeveloping one of West Africa’s oldest offshore oil sites.
Africa’s offshore energy boom shows the continent’s growing importance in the global energy market as governments and international companies race to tap new reserves.
