Major Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa’s Oil and Gas Project Timelines: 

East Africa’s Energy Transformation (2025)

  • Mozambique: Offshore natural gas projects will transition from exploration to contributing to regional industrialisation. The ExxonMobil and ENI-led Rovuma liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project in Mozambique is on track to gain final approval in 2025.

 

  • Tanzania: Current State of Oil and Gas in Tanzania

By mid-2025, gas-to-power infrastructure will attract foreign investment, positioning Tanzania as a regional energy leader.

Tanzania's oil and gas sector marked by significant milestones in natural gas discoveries. Key achievements include the development of the Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay projects, which have spearheaded the nation’s natural gas production. Notably, the discovery of approximately 57.54 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of recoverable natural gas reserves off the southern coast in the Indian Ocean has garnered substantial interest from international oil companies (IOCs) and investors, signaling promising prospects for the industry’s growth.

 

  • Uganda: Progress on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) will accelerate, with oil flowing by late 2025, alongside upstream development activity.

 

Refining Infrastructure Expansion (2025–2026)

  • Nigeria: Refineries, including the Dangote Refinery, will achieve peak operational capacity in 2025, reducing reliance on imports.

 

  • Angola: The Cabinda refinery will be commissioned by the end of 2024, followed by the Lobito refinery and Soyo refinery from 2025 onwards. Including upgrades to the country’s sole operational refinery, the Luanda refinery, represent a major boost to Angola’s downstream sector.

 

  • Uganda: Initial stages of refining infrastructure will align with the EACOP, targeting regional distribution by 2026.

 

The Gas Revolution (2025)

  • Tanzania: Gas-to-power plants will become operational by mid-2025, enabling electricity exports.

  • Mozambique: LNG project expansion will advance, with new facilities operational by late 2025.

 

Rise of Local Players and Hybrid Energy Models (2025–2027)

  • Nigeria and Angola: Indigenous operators will expand their upstream and downstream roles by 2025, supported by training programs and government incentives.

  • South Africa, Uganda, and Nigeria: Hybrid energy projects integrating oil, gas, and renewables will see initial success, scaling up between 2025 and 2027.

 

Navigating Geopolitical Risks

  • Stability in Tanzania and Uganda will fast-track investments and project execution by 2025.

  • Nigeria, Angola, and Cameroon may face delays due to regulatory and political challenges, pushing timelines into 2026 or later.

 

Notable Oil and Gas Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (2024–2030)

  • South Africa

                    1.    Offshore Block 11B/12B, Outeniqua Basin

                           *   Operator: TotalEnergies

                           *   Scope: Drilling in a 19,000 km2 area targeting significant gas reserves

                     

                    2.    Ibhubesi Gas Field Development

                           *   Operator: Sunbird Energy

                           *   Timeline: Production starts in 2025.

                           *   Features: 14 wells and an onsite gas-processing plant for power needs.

 

                     3.    Amersfoort Coalbed Methane Project

                           *   Operator: Kinetiko Energy

                           *   Timeline: Commercial production begins in 2024.

                           *   Features: Phased gas-to-power initiative using local coalbed methane reserves.

 

                     4.    E-BK Gas Development, Block 9

                           *   Operator: PetroSA

                           *   Timeline: Begins in 2024

                           *   Features: 19 wells linked to existing platforms.

 

                     5.    Orange Basin - Block 3B / 4B

                           *   Discovery of substantial gas and oil resources with potential for long-tern LNG 

                                development.

 

  • Regional Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

                     1.    AKaminho Deepwater Project (Angola)

                           *   Operator: TotalEnergies and partners

                           *   Timeline: Operational by 2028

                           *   Investment: $6 billion for FPSO facilities and subsea networks.

 

                     2.    Moho Nord Field (Republic of Congo)

                           *   Operator: TotalEnergies

                           *   Timeline: Enhanced production by 2025.

                           *   Investment: $600 million.

 

                     3.    Iseni Gas Field (Nigeria)

                           *   Operators: Shell, TotalEnergies, and NNPC

                           *   Timeline: Active from 2024

                           *   Features: Supplies gas to the Dangote Refinery for power generation.

 

                     4.    Palma LNG Project (Mozambique)

                           *   Liquefaction facility expected to boost the regional LNG supply chain.