By
Nathalia Duarte
April 20, 2026
Updated
April 20, 2026
The eyes of the oil & gas industry are focused on African countries. While currently producing 10% of the world’s oil, its vast geological potential and prospects for commercially attractive discoveries continue to draw major operators seeking long‑life resources.
In this article, we explore Africa’s oil and gas market and the major projects driving the sector’s expansion.
Africa’s market overview: unlocking oil and gas potential in the next decade
In 2026, Africa is set to lead global exploration activity, accounting for around 40% of planned high impact wells, according to Rystad Energy. Activity is concentrated along the Atlantic margin, with exploration focused on Southern Africa’s Orange Basin and West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea.
Between 2025 and 2030, an estimated 176 oil and gas projects are expected to start across the continent, representing around $284 billion in investment. The African Energy Outlook projects Africa’s production could rise from 11.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in 2026 to 13.6 million by 2030, with more than 3 million boe/d coming from currently unsanctioned projects.
Nigeria alone reached 1.63 million barrels per day of crude and condensate production in 2025, a 5% increase year on year.
At the same time, LNG development is emerging as a major opportunity for Africa to strengthen its position in global energy markets. Large recoverable gas discoveries position Mozambique to become a leading LNG exporter, while Angola, Senegal, and Mauritania continue to advance gas monetisation projects of regional and international significance.
With sustained exploration, project sanctions, and LNG growth, Africa is set to remain a major hub for oil and gas investment over the coming decade, attracting global operators and reinforcing its role in energy supply.
Discover employment trends for traditional energy sector in 2026
Top five oil and gas projects shaping Africa’s future
1. Coral North FLNG & Rovuma LNG
Area 4 holds an estimated 85 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. ExxonMobil expects tens of billions of dollars in investment to develop a world‑class LNG project, positioning Mozambique as a major global energy player.
Following the completion of Coral South, an FLNG vessel processing gas from a 5 Tcf resource operated by Mozambique Rovuma Ventures and led by Eni, two major developments are advancing Area 4’s gas monetisation: the Coral North FLNG Export Terminal and the Rovuma LNG Liquefaction Plant.
Coral North will be the second FLNG export terminal in Area 4, closely replicating the Coral South design. The $7.2 billion project is scheduled for completion by 2028 and will have a capacity of 3.6 million tonnes per annum.
ExxonMobil is leading the $30 billion Rovuma LNG project, which will process gas from the offshore Mamba complex. Currently in the FEED stage, startup is expected around 2030, with construction projected to create around 5.000 local jobs and support skills development in Mozambique.
2. Tanzania's LNG Liquefaction Plant
Tanzania holds an estimated 57.54 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas. The country’s planned LNG export terminal is set to be built at Lindi, close to offshore deep‑water gas discoveries, with a proposed capacity of 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).
The $42 billion project, led by Shell and Equinor, has faced prolonged delays due to regulatory and contractual negotiations. However, the government expects to finalise agreements in the first half of 2026, with production targeted to begin around eight years later. The development is expected to generate up to 100.000 jobs during construction and operations.
3. Lake Albert Development: Tilenga and Kingfisher oil projects
The Lake Albert Development is an upstream oil project in north‑west Uganda’s Albertine Rift Basin. It comprises three licence areas: EA‑1 and EA‑2, which make up the Tilenga Project, and EA‑3, which forms the Kingfisher Project. Together, these developments are expected to reach peak production of around 230.000 barrels per day (b/d), supported by more than 700 wells linked through extensive infield flowline infrastructure.
The Kingfisher Project, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is a near‑shore development located beneath Lake Albert. Recoverable reserves are estimated at around 196 million barrels of oil, with plateau production expected at approximately 40.000 b/d. Startup is targeted for 2026.
Operated by TotalEnergies, the Tilenga Project covers six oil discoveries across licence areas EA‑1 and EA‑2. It includes a central processing facility (CPF) with a capacity of around 190.000 b/d, with production also expected to begin in 2026.
Crude oil from both Tilenga and Kingfisher will be exported via the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to the port of Tanga, Tanzania.
4. East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a $5.6 billion export project designed to transport crude oil from Uganda’s Tilenga Project near Lake Albert to Tanga port, in Tanzania. Due to the waxy nature of Ugandan crude, the 1.445 km heated pipeline will be required to maintain flow, with an expected capacity of around 246.000 barrels per day. First oil exports are anticipated in October 2026.
Beyond enabling exports, the project is expected to deliver significant regional benefits, including job creation, new infrastructure, and improved connectivity along the central corridor linking Uganda and Tanzania.
5. Greater Tortue-Ahmeyim Phase 2 (Mauritania–Senegal)
Following completion of GTA Phase 1, bp is advancing development of Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Phase 2. The $600 million offshore project, spanning the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, is expected to add around 5 million tonnes of gas output once operational. Together, the broader GTA complex is estimated to hold approximately 15 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Currently in the pre‑FEED stage, Phase 2 (also referred to as Phase 1+) is expected to involve additional gas production from an ultra‑deepwater subsea system of up to 30 wells, tied back to existing GTA Phase 1 infrastructure.
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