Africa’s 2025 Oil and Gas Boom: Congo, Rwanda, Namibia, and Angola Lead Exploration Growth
Africa’s energy sector is accelerating in 2025, as countries across the continent announce major oil and gas discoveries, issue new exploration licenses, and launch ambitious surveys to tap untapped reserves.
One of the latest developments is a new oil exploration licensing agreement between the Republic of Congo and Qatar.
From Central Africa to the Atlantic coast, governments and international energy companies are relying on hydrocarbons to boost economic growth and achieve energy independence.
QatarEnergy and its partners were recently granted an exploration license for the Nzombo offshore block in the Republic of Congo.
Under the Production Sharing Contract, QatarEnergy holds 35%, TotalEnergies (operator) 50%, and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) 15%, according to the Gulf Times.
Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and CEO of QatarEnergy, said:
“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. We look forward to delivering a successful exploration campaign.”
The Nzombo block, located 90 kilometers offshore from Pointe-Noire, covers 1,053 square kilometers with water depths exceeding 1,000 meters.
Rwanda’s First Oil Discovery
Earlier in 2025, Rwanda reported its first oil discovery in Lake Kivu, which borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Thirteen reservoirs were identified, marking a major milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to diversify its economy, which has traditionally relied on tourism, mining, and agriculture.
In South Africa, French major TotalEnergies plans to start offshore drilling in 2026, pending regulatory approval.
Similarly, Namibia is emerging as a hotspot for exploration, with Chevron planning an exploratory well in the Walvis Basin for 2026–2027. Analysts have compared Namibia’s potential reserves to Guyana’s abundant oil resources.
Sierra Leone recently conducted its first offshore 3D seismic survey in nearly a decade in partnership with GeoPartners.
The six-week survey aims to reduce exploration risk and provide detailed data to attract investors. Estimates suggest the offshore region may hold up to 30 billion barrels of recoverable oil equivalent, including the promising Vega prospect, expected to contain 3 billion barrels.
In Angola, Azule Energy announced a significant gas discovery in the Lower Congo Basin at the Gajajeira-01 well in Block 1/14.
Early estimates indicate over 1 trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensate.
In Benin, after a 27-year hiatus, drilling has resumed at one of West Africa’s oldest offshore oil fields, with Singapore-based Akrake Petroleum leading the redevelopment of the Sèmè field.
With these discoveries and ongoing exploration initiatives, Africa’s oil and gas sector is poised for rapid growth, attracting international investment and advancing energy security across the continent.
