The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the energy challenges plaguing the North-East region, ensuring that clean energy becomes accessible and affordable for all.
The gas minister, Ekperikpe Ekpo (second left), leading the distribution of LPG cylinders to beneficiaries
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this pledge during the launch of the North-East Decade of Gas Clean Cooking (LPG) Grassroots Penetration Programme in Maiduguri, Borno State.
“The Decade of Gas Initiative is designed to transform Nigeria into a gas-powered economy, and this event demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring no region is left behind,” Ekpo said. “As we distribute these LPG cylinders today, I urge beneficiaries to seize this opportunity for a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.”
Ekpo acknowledged the significant energy challenges faced by the North-East and expressed determination to make clean energy accessible and affordable.
“The government’s commitment to making LPG available and affordable for all Nigerians is unwavering,” he said. “Through collaborative efforts, we can achieve our vision of a gas-powered Nigeria.”
Ekpo lauded Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his unwavering support towards the initiative. He noted that the clean cooking initiative, conceived by President Bola Tinubu, aims to convert 250,000 homes per year to the use of LPG, also known as cooking gas. This follows the call to address maternal and youth deaths caused by inhaling carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases from traditional cooking fuels with heavier carbon chains.
The gas minister, who led the distribution of LPG cylinders to beneficiaries, noted that adopting LPG goes beyond convenience; it’s crucial for cleaner air, reduced deforestation, and mitigating health risks from traditional fuels like charcoal and firewood. He said the switch to LPG supports the national strategy for a sustainable energy mix and reduced carbon emissions.
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman, shed light on the daunting struggles women face when relying on firewood as a primary energy source in their homes. She emphasised the government’s commitment to transitioning one million households to clean cooking gas by 2030, tackling environmental pollution, creating job opportunities, and boosting socio-economic activities through collaborative efforts with various sectors.
Coordinating Director, Decade of Gas, Mr. Ed Ubong, reiterated the industry’s support for the Gas to Prosperity theme of the Federal Government. He thanked MEMAN, NNPCL, and all Decade of Gas sponsor groups for making the event a success.
UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, has called on world leaders to choose rights, equality and empowerment for all women and girls.
UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous. Photo credit: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Shutterstock
Bahous made the call at UN Headquarters in New York, at an event to commemorate International Women’s Day (IDW), celebrated annually on March 8.
According to her, IDW is a powerful moment, and for 2025, more than ever, the call for gender equality is important.
“The cause of gender equality has never been more urgent, nor the obstacles in our way more apparent, but our determination has never been more unshakeable.
“Today, we celebrate equality for all women and girls, and we celebrate coming together, here, now, everywhere.’’
According to her, 2025 is a call for ALL women and girls – “Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, because equality with exceptions is not equality.
Bahous said that the promise of equality for women and girls, rights, and empowerment to all girls must be realised.
“The pushback against those promises is nothing new. We have faced it before; we will face it again.
“Until gender equality is our shared reality and shared reward, we will not stop.
“Make no mistake: our movement is powerful, and it is growing. It is all of you here, all those who are remotely connected and listening, all those who commemorate International Women’s Day in different ways.
“It is all of us who understand that equality is not to be feared, but instead to be embraced, because an equal world is a better world,’’ she said.
According to her, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
“We hope to see its commitments reaffirmed in a strong, forward-looking political declaration, to be adopted at CSW69 [the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
“This year, we commemorate the 25th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325.
“We look also forward to the final stretch this year of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. What better reminders to energise and guide us all?.
The top UN official said from governments to boardrooms, from classrooms to households, women’s equality is the greatest solution, and we know that.
She said: “Every study we do, every project we do, every programme we do, every effort and partnership we have tells us that women’s equality is the greatest solution.
“Real solutions require that women be at the heart of decision-making. From Afghanistan to the DRC, from Palestine, Gaza to Haiti to Myanmar, Sudan and beyond, women bear the heaviest burdens of conflict, displacement, hardship, and loss.
“Yet, we know that when women are at the table, peace is broader, more inclusive, and more enduring.
“We know that when women’s voices are heard equally, societies thrive. We know that when women lead, economies prosper.
“We know all this. Now, we must act on it. So that the promises we have made are fulfilled for ALL women and girls, and so that all women can lead and thrive.’’
As the world celebrates the 2025 International Women’s Day, Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) is calling for visible action towards women empowerment in Nigeria, to acknowledge women as valuable contributors to policy making and development in the society.
Women. Photo credit: UN Women/Joe Saade
This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” emphasises the urgency of advancing gender equality and the need for collective action to accelerate progress towards a more just and equitable world. Despite progress made, women and girls continue to face significant barriers to equality, which EDEN has listed to include:
Limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities
Persistent pay gaps and unequal representation in leadership positions
Pervasive violence and harassment, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking
Intimidation and oppression in the workplace, limiting the rights and freedom of women
To address these challenges, the group called on governments, organisations, and individuals to:
Promote inclusive policies and laws that benefit all women and girls
Support women’s leadership and participation in all areas of life
Address intersectional inequalities and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion
End violence against women and girls and ensure access to justice and support services
The group submitted: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we must recognise that women’s empowerment is essential to achieving a more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable world. We reaffirm our commitment to promoting women’s rights, equality, and empowerment.
“Let us all continue to speak and take swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality, and increased pace and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional fields.”
As the world marks the International Women’s Day 2025, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has commended women farmers for their tireless efforts in ensuring food security.
Women farmers
In a statement signed by Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, the Executive Secretary of HEDA, Arigbabu reaffirmed HEDA’s commitment to advocating policies and practices that would promote the livelihood, health, and well-being of small-scale women farmers.
“Women farmers face numerous challenges, including indoor air pollution from traditional cooking fuels like charcoal and firewood, which pose significant health risks.
“To address this, we will intensify our advocacy for cleaner cooking technologies to promote good health and well-being among women smallholder farmers,” Arigbabu said.
Arigbabu said HEDA would continue to empower women farmers with critical climate and agrometeorological information.
He said the empowerment would enable them to make informed decisions and minimise losses and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
“We will also collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen market linkages, creating better economic opportunities for women in agriculture.
“HEDA remains committed to amplifying the voices of women farmers, championing their rights, and pushing for policies that empower them to thrive,” Arigbabu said.
“By focusing on the specific needs and challenges of women smallholder farmers, HEDA aims to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable food system transformation,” he said.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Thursday, March 6, 2025, achieved a much-needed consensus among critical oil and gas industry stakeholders and manufacturers to ramp up in-country production and utilisation of line pipes in oil and gas operations, as part of the strategy deepen local content, and conserve foreign exchange and create jobs.
Participants at the Stakeholders Workshop in Yenagoa
The Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), comprising all international oil companies, and their indigenous counterparts under the aegis of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), met with the leading pipe manufacturing companies and pipe coaters as well as the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS) at the instance of the NCDMB to take stock of progress made since 2011.
In opening remarks at the one-day “Stakeholders Workshop on Manufacturing of Line Pipes in Nigeria: Processes, Challenges, and Opportunities,” which held at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described line pipes as “a major driver in oil and gas industry operations,” adding, “without line pipes you cannot evacuate products.”
He said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, envisages 100 per cent in-country manufacture of line pipes (seamless and welded pipes) and that the Board, in conjunction with the OPTS, had agreed on an initiative in 2011 to work towards attainment of that target.
The NCDMB boss noted that a lot still has to be done and that status reports of projects on line pipes would have to be presented and discussed at the workshop so as to determine appropriate measures by all stakeholders to intensify efforts to overcome teething problems if any.
Ogbe, represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, disclosed that, in realisation of the potential of in-country manufacture of line pipes for retention of significant revenue and job creation, the Board had introduced different policies and remains determined to work with industry players for meaningful progress.
In setting the tone for the workshop presentations and deliberations, he posed six questions to which he sought answers from the participants: Should we continue to focus on making line pipes in Nigeria? Where are we on the ‘Made in Nigeria’ line pipes projects? Are there still opportunities for Made-in-Nigeria line pipes? What should be the main considerations for ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ line pipes (infrastructure imperatives, investment incentives, etc.)? Who should invest and who are the buyers? What policies would drive the delivery of ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ line pipes?
In his own remarks, the Director, Capacity Building, NCDMB, Dr. Ama Ikuru, explained that the Board and the entire oil and gas industry are focused on Made-in-Nigeria line pipes, because it is “the key to Nigeria’s industrial development and a critical requirement of the NOGICD Act, 2010, and the Presidential Executive Order on Local Content.”
He noted that Made-in-Nigeria line pipes are a “reputation driver for the NOGICD Act” and are “central to the attainment of the 70 per cent objective of NCDMB’s (Nigerian Content) 10-Year Strategic Road Map.” In addition, the initiative would reduce costs and eliminate mark-up by middlemen.
Dr. Ikuru pointed out that there are major oil discoveries across Africa as well as opportunities in Nigeria and other parts of the continent, supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Line pipe opportunities in Africa highlighted include the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, African Renaissance Pipeline and Transmed Gas Pipeline.
On interventions by the NCDMB toward establishment of pipe mills in the country, he said the Board, among other things, introduced the Equipment Component Manufacturing Initiative (ECMI) and issued guidelines on it, which “birthed issuance of the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC).”
The NCEC scheme of the Board is designed to promote and enforce the utilisation of locally manufactured goods, services, and equipment in the oil and gas industry.
Before presentations by key manufacturers of line pipes, representatives of the leading IOCs and Independents, all industry holders in attendance had to state their individual responses and viewpoints regarding the six posers earlier raised by the NCDMB Executive Secretary.
In unison, all declared that Nigeria should continue to focus on making line pipes in-country to meet the target of 100 per cent. Key manufacturers then proceeded to explain where they are in their respective projects, highlighting status reports as well as challenges (in some cases), and what should be main considerations.
The Managing Director, Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, Mr. Chidi Nzerem, disclosed that his company has made appreciable progress in developing an LSAW Line Pipe Mill in Calabar, Cross River State, but has faced difficulties in securing long-term funding from the banks after investing over $64 million. To take the project to completion stage, an additional $176 million would be required.
He pointed out that “Nigeria sits on oil and gas and there must be commitment to manufacture line pipes” to eliminate capital flight through importation of pipes. He assured stakeholders that “within the next 36 months, line pipes will start rolling out from the mill if the required funds become available.”
For another industry player, Frigate Pipe and Tubulars Limited, whose seamless pipe mill plant has progressed without hiccups, status report was that the bulk of the manufacturing line has been acquired and that installation of the facility would be completed within the next 24 months.
The Chief Financial Officer of the company, Mr. Bankole Olugbile, said industry demand for seamless line pipes in Nigeria is 120,000 metric tonnes per annum, which could be easily met, but he pointed out that “projects like this require long-term cheap funding.” He called for incentives, such as pioneer status, among others, from government.
From Yulong Steel Pipes Limited, a pioneer in the industry that had suspended production operations in Nigeria for five years after supply of 2,000 metric tonnes of line pipes to Dangote Refinery, Lekki, Lagos, was news of its reentry into the country. Its representative declared that the company is looking forward to business from Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Shell Petroleum Development Company’s Bonga North, among others.
Pipe coating companies, including Solewant Group, Monarch Alloy, and Tenaris, also gave their respective status reports and highlighted what they expect from oil and gas industry operators.
International oil companies affirmed that there are opportunities for Made-in-Nigeria line pipes and expressed keenness to do business with manufacturers in the country. Mrs. Chioma Okpoechi, Supply Chain Manager (Production and Logistics) of Shell Petroleum Development Company, provided procurement data on line pipes from her company indicating that $43 million was spent between 2019 and 2014.
According to her, “steadily our operational requirements are growing” and that $115 million is to be spent in the next four years. Mrs. Okpoechi expressed hope that “this should encourage Made-in-Nigeria manufacturers,” although she cautioned that quality and timeliness of delivery cannot be compromised.
Assurances were also received from Exxon Mobil, which urged local manufacturers to strive for cost competitiveness and ensuring that they understand what the oil and gas industry upstream needs. TotalEnergies also gave assurance of support for local manufacture.
Seplat Energy Plc, a leading independent operator from among the indigenous upstream players, represented by its Nigerian Content Development Manager, Mr. Simeon Ogari, declared: “We are 100 per cent in support of Made-in-Nigeria line pipes,” stating that the company is “a product of local content.”
Another leading indigenous oil company, First Exploration & Production (First E&P), represented by its Project Manager, Soyemi Ayodeji, also pledged total support.
In rounding off presentations and deliberations, Dr. Ikuru, reminded participants that responsibilities for advancement of the programme for Made-in-Nigeria line pipes needed to be assigned.
Manufacturers commended NCDMB for its practical role as business enabler, citing a number of the Board’s interventions that have facilitated the emergence of many big indigenous companies, but said the Board could do more by helping to eliminate illegal importation of coated line pipes, particularly by marginal field operators. Also that the Board should play a role in facilitating access of manufacturers to credit facilities from banks.
Dr. Ikuru acknowledged that the suggestions made were appropriate but advised that the manufacturers could employ whistleblowing as a way to bring such illegal importation to the knowledge of the Board and Government. “We’ll follow up,” he assured.
Also contributing, the Director, Project Certification and Authorisation Department (PICAD), of NCDMB, Abayomi Bamidele, said the Customs and Excise Department has a role to play, and that manufacturers and coaters of line pipes could team up and prepare a draft bill, which should be submitted to the National Assembly for a law to bring in the Customs Department to play a role.
The NCDMB and all stakeholders agreed that platforms like the Stakeholders Workshop should hold regularly, and that it would be desirable for similar platforms where financial institutions could participate, given the critical importance of funding.
The UN food agency, World Food Programme (WFP), says it urgently requires $620 million to ensure continued support to crisis affected people across the Sahel and in Nigeria over the next six months.
Margot van der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa
The UN food agency, in a statement on Friday, March 7, 2025, warned that potentially life-saving food and nutrition assistance in Central Sahel and Nigeria would have to end next month, unless emergency funds could be secured.
The crisis is being exacerbated by the expected early arrival of the lean season – the period between harvests when hunger peaks.
Chronic hunger is being driven by conflict, displacement, economic instability and severe climate shocks, WFP said, with devastating floods in 2024 affecting over six million people across West Africa.
Funding shortfalls will force the agency to suspend food assistance for two million crisis affected people, including Sudanese refugees in Chad, Malian refugees in Mauritania, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable food-insecure families in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
“With millions expected to face emergency levels of hunger at the peak of the lean season, the world must step up support to prevent this situation from getting out of control,” Ms. Margot van der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa, said.
An estimated 52.7 million women, men and childrenare projected to experience acute hunger between June and August 2025, according to the latest projected regional food security analysis.
Despite the ever-increasing needs in West and Central Africa, the proportion of the population facing extreme hunger is projected to increase by over 20 per cent by June 2025.
Needs are chronically underfunded. As a result, WFP underscores that it is being forced to regularly make the difficult decision to cut rations,effectively taking from the hungry to feed the starving.
In Chad, the influx of refugees arriving from Sudan is placing enormous pressure on already limited resources, fuelling tension and competition between communities.
This is particularly concerning as the country enters its sixth consecutive year of severe food insecurity in 2025,with more than a 200 per cent increase since 2020.
In neighbouring Nigeria, the prolonged humanitarian crisis, worsened by high inflation and weather-related shocks, is endangering the lives of children, pregnant women and entire communities.
During the June-August lean season,33.1 million Nigerians are expected to face severe food shortages.
WFP is working with national governments to assess and adapt its response to ensure urgent assistance reaches the most vulnerable, while also calling for safe and unhindered access to crisis-affected families.
“We need to act now to allow WFP to reach those in need with timely support.
“Inaction will have severe consequences for the region and beyond, asfood security is national security,” Velden said.
The Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR) has called for increased education and advocacy on the ills of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) crops and seeds in Nigeria.
GMO rice
The Deputy Director of CEFSAR, Dr Segun Adebayo, who made the call in an interview on Friday, March 7, 2025, in Lagos, noted that the African Union (AU) is against the takeover of GMOs in the continent, hence the need for individual countries to be wary of its proliferation.
“If the AU is against the proliferation of GMO seeds and crops in our agriculture space, then African countries should be wary against its adoption.
“The adoption of GMOs by local farmers will not be beneficial to our food security or agriculture sector in the long run.
“Unfortunately, the adoption of GMOs is already legalised, without appropriate education of local farmers on what they are cultivating,” he said.
Adebayo said the need for continuous advocacy of the ills of GMOs should be prioritised.
The expert called for the education of local farmers on the components of GMOs and advocacy against its adverse effects on humans.
“Currently, most knowledgeable agriculture stakeholders have been making agitation to undo the signing into law of GMOs in the Nigerian constitution.
“These agitations against GMOs should go beyond lip service because people do not even know the components of what they are consuming daily.
“Not in a bid to sound alarmists on the dangers of GMOs to human health and the agric space as a whole, but people need to be aware of what they are eating, it is fair enough that people know what they are using their money to buy.
“That is why we are very vocal and we are educating people, via every medium to advocate a against GMOs, so people understand exactly what is going on.
“As a centre, we are doing a lot of work, but the media also needs to join in the advocacy against GMOs,” the expert said.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) and FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (JV) have made a significant hydrocarbon discovery in the Songhai Field, located in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 85. The milestone is seen as a critical step in the JV’s ongoing efforts to boost oil production and sustainability over the next five years.
GCEO, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari
The well, which was spudded on November 18, 2024, has been drilled to a total depth of 8,883 feet in 30 meters of water. It encountered hydrocarbons across eight reservoirs, logging over 1,000 feet of hydrocarbon-bearing sands, most of which exhibit excellent reservoir properties. Preliminary analysis indicates substantial oil and gas volumes, confirming the field’s significant commercial potential.
Segun Owolabi, General Manager of Exploration and Development at FIRST E&P, described the discovery as a major achievement for the JV.
“This discovery marks a major milestone in our efforts to unlock the full potential of our assets,” Owolabi said. “The success at Songhai Field underscores the effectiveness of our exploration strategy and our commitment to delivering sustainable value to all stakeholders.”
NNPC Limited, as the majority partner in the JV, emphasised the strategic importance of the find, particularly in supporting Nigeria’s production growth and cost optimisation targets.
Seyi Omotowa, Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Limited, highlighted that the success aligns with the company’s broader upstream objectives.
“This aligns with NNPC Limited’s mandate to drive production growth and cost optimization,” Omotowa said. “The success at Songhai Field reflects our commitment to strategic partnerships, advanced technology, and efficient operations to maximize Nigeria’s hydrocarbon potential sustainably.”
Mallam Mele Kyari, Group CEO of NNPC Limited, further stressed the significance of collaboration in expanding Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves.
“This discovery reaffirms the potential of Nigeria’s offshore assets and the importance of collaboration in boosting reserves and production,” Kyari noted. “NNPC Limited remains committed to driving efficiency and long-term value creation for the nation.”
Currently, the JV maintains a steady daily production of approximately 57,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) from its OML 83 and 85 assets. The new discovery in the Songhai Field is expected to further enhance production and contribute to Nigeria’s energy security.
The discovery also highlights the importance of operational excellence and safety. The JV has achieved over 9 million man-hours of Lost Time Injury (LTI)-free operations, setting a high standard for safe and responsible hydrocarbon development.
This achievement strengthens Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and underscores the JV’s role in supporting the Federal Government’s goal of increasing national hydrocarbon production and reserves while ensuring sustainable energy growth.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has vowed to investigate and sanction officers involved in the invasion of Ikeja Electric’s premises in Lagos on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Ikeja Electric and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officials
Speaking at a press briefing, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, condemned the incident and reassured the public of the NAF’s commitment to discipline and professionalism.
“We will investigate what happened and impose appropriate sanctions. The Nigerian Air Force takes the safety of citizens very seriously, and Ikeja Electric should continue providing services without fear of disturbance,” Ademuwagun said.
He further apologised to Ikeja Electric, describing the invasion as unfortunate.
“The Nigerian Air Force is a disciplined force, and any action that undermines our integrity will not be tolerated,” he added.
Chairman of Ikeja Electric, Kola Adesina, revealed that at least 10 employees were injured, while company assets were vandalised or taken.
“About 200 staff were on-site when the incident occurred. Reports confirmed that 10 individuals were brutalised, and several office assets were destroyed or removed,” Adesina stated.
He linked the invasion to a long-standing N4 billion debt dispute between NAF and Ikeja Electric but confirmed ongoing discussions to resolve the matter.
“We recognise the Air Force’s importance, but electricity services must be paid for,” Adesina emphasised.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and finding a sustainable solution for stable electricity supply.
Africa’s national oil companies (NOCs) are moving beyond operating as state-representatives by transforming themselves into competitive upstream players. By strengthening their balance-sheets through partial privatisation, transferring their regulatory roles to independent entities and acquiring more assets, NOCs are emerging as strong partners for foreign firms.
Libya’s NOC is working with IOCs Repsol, bp, TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips
Boosting Production
Major oil producers in Africa are striving to boost production and NOC-IOC collaboration is at the forefront. Libya’s NOC is working with IOCs (international oil companies) Repsol, bp, TotalEnergies, ConocoPhillips and more to increase output to two million barrels per day (bpd). In collaboration with the NOC, TotalEnergies has achieved a 20% increase in production at the Waha field; Repsol plans to drill nine new prospects in 2025; while Eni is planning four exploration wells in 2025.
Algeria’s Sonatrach will increase hydrocarbon production by 2.5% this year, actively pursuing international partnerships following a revision of its Hydrocarbons Law in 2029. Negotiations are underway with ExxonMobil and Chevron to boost exploration. These efforts reflect a broader trend across the continent, where NOCs are leaning on foreign partnerships to advance oil and gas production.
Advancing Gas Monetisation
Amid a surge in gas monetisation, Africa has emerged as a major LNG producer. Collaboration between NOCs and IOCs have been at the forefront of this gas drive, leading to the emergence of new LNG exporters.
Senegal’s Petrosen and Mauritania’s SMH worked alongside bp and Kosmos Energy to develop the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project – situated on the maritime border of the two countries and producing first LNG in January 2025.
Mozambique’s ENH is working closely with foreign operators to develop several LNG projects, including TotalEnergies (Mozambique LNG); ExxonMobil (Rovuma LNG) and Eni (Coral South and Coral North). The 3.4 mtpa Coral South FLNG project has been operating since 2022 while ExxonMobil plans to make FID on Rovuma LNG in 2026.
The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation is developing the Tanzania LNG project, working with Shell and Equinor to monetise resources in Blocks 1, 2 and 4. While development has been delayed, the operators remain committed to collaboratively bringing the project online.
In Angola, which has been an LNG producer since 2013, the NOC Sonangol is working with its New Gas Consortium partners Azule Energy, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company and TotalEnergies to increase LNG production capacity. The partners completed the offshore platform for Angola’s first non-associated gas project in February 2025, with production on track for early-2026.
Unlocking New E&P Markets
A slate of discoveries in recent years have opened up new oil and gas plays across the continent. Following an increase in its oil and gas budget from $120 million to $246 million for the 2024/2025 period, the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is driving exploration across underexplored areas in the country. In partnership with TotalEnergies and CNOOC, the company will start production at the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields in 2025. UNOC is also advancing exploration in the Moroto-Kyoga basins, with preliminary studies aimed at uncovering new oil fields.
In Namibia, NAMCOR is working with IOCs toward first oil production from the Orange Basin by 2029. Major projects include the Mopane field, which made its third discovery last month, and the Venus field, which targets FID in 2026. The company aims to secure higher stakes in future oil and gas projects – increasing its share from the minimum 10% to between 20-30% – underscoring a commitment to greater participation in field development.
Meanwhile, the South Africa National Petroleum Company (SANPC) – launched in September 2024 – strives to facilitate greater investment in exploration, natural gas monetisation and infrastructure development.
While major gas deposits were found in the Outeniqua Basin in 2019 and 2020, operational challenges have impacted development. The SANPC seeks to address these challenges through IOC collaboration and foreign investment. The company also strives to unlock the potential of the Orange Basin.
Fostering Collaboration at African Energy Week 2025
As the largest energy event in Africa, African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies facilitates collaboration between Africa’s NOCs and international operators. Taking place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3, 2025, the event offers a platform for strategic dialogue, networking and dealmaking.
“African NOCs are driving the continent’s next wave of innovative oil and gas developments. By partnering with global operators and strengthening their operational capacity, NOCs are not only driving projects forward but showcasing the competitiveness of African operators,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.
