Boasting abundant natural gas resources and immense potential in human capital, Africa is currently witnessing the development of several large Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects. These upcoming ventures are expected to play a pivotal role in spearheading the continent’s LNG export capacity, driving domestic electrification, and facilitating resource monetization.
One such project nearing completion is the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG Project. The first phase of GTA, located on the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, is set to commission liquefaction vessels by Q1 2024, with the first gas expected in Q3. This initial phase aims to yield 2.3 million tons of natural gas annually, and subsequent phases are anticipated to increase production to 6 million and 10 million tons per year, respectively.
In Senegal, the Yakaar-Teranga Conventional Gas Field is situated in ultra-deepwater, with Phase 1 expected to commence commercial production in 2026. Targeting 25 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas, the project will drive electrification, involving 550 million cubic feet per day of gas production. The majority of this gas will be exported to international markets via a floating LNG vessel.
Offshore Mauritania, the BirAllah Conventional Gas Field is currently in its feasibility stage, with commercial production anticipated to start in 2028. The Final Investment Decision (FID) is poised for approval in 2025, aiming to extract 13 tcf of natural gas from Mauritania’s offshore Block C8 at a depth of 2,500m.
In the East African country of Tanzania, a proposed LNG terminal in the Lindi Region, known as the Tanzania LNG Terminal, is set to undergo pre-Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2025. The estimated cost of this project is $42 billion, with a minimum expected export capacity of 10 million tons per year to international markets and 10% reserved for domestic use.
The Rovuma LNG Project in Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, led by oil and gas majors Eni and ExxonMobil, is a proposed LNG terminal that is anticipated to produce 7.6 million tons of LNG per year. With the Front-End Engineering and Design process estimated for completion in 2024 due to an improved security situation in the province, the project is expected to come online between 2027 and 2028
