India is turning its focus to Africa to secure its future energy supply.
This shift is partly driven by a drop in India’s crude oil imports from Russia, which reached a two-year low in February 2025.
As a result, India has increased its energy imports from African nations.
According to Reuters, India’s oil imports from Africa more than doubled, reaching 330,000 barrels per day (bpd) in February, up from 143,000 bpd in January.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), one of India’s largest refiners, is set to receive shipments of Nigeria’s Okwuibome crude and Angola’s Mostarda fields.
This move highlights the growing importance of Africa in India’s energy strategy.
Africa continues to solidify its role as a key player in global energy security, especially within the G20 framework.
Along with the surge in imports, India is making significant investments in African energy projects.
Last month, ONGC approved a $175 million loan to support the Area 1 Mozambique Project.
This project targets 75 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas.
ONGC Videsh, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), and Oil India Ltd. jointly hold a 30% stake in the project.
In December 2024, BPCL also announced plans to invest $32.9 billion in its exploration and production blocks in Mozambique and Brazil, strengthening India’s position in Africa’s energy landscape.
India is also deepening its involvement in Nigeria’s energy sector.
It has invested in small-scale refining projects, including a chemicals and fertilizer plant, and pledged $14 billion in 2023 for oil and gas developments.
During CERAWeek in Houston last month, ONGC reaffirmed its commitment to boosting investments in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
In response, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has urged Indian investors to explore opportunities in refining and natural gas, highlighting reforms aimed at expanding Nigeria’s refining capacity and reducing its reliance on imported refined products.
This increasing partnership between India and Africa underscores the continent’s growing importance as a key energy supplier for India, as the country looks to diversify its energy sources amidst shifting global dynamics.
