Africa’s energy landscape is expanding rapidly in in 2025, with countries across the continent announcing new oil and gas discoveries, rolling out exploration licenses, and conducting large-scale surveys to unlock untapped reserves.
The most recent development comes from the Republic of Congo, which has signed an oil exploration licensing agreement with Qatar.
From Central Africa to the Atlantic coast, governments and international oil companies are banking on hydrocarbons to fuel economic growth and strengthen energy security.
According to recent reports, QatarEnergy—one of the largest energy firms in its region, along with its partners, has secured an exploration license for Congo’s Nzombo offshore block.
Under the Production Sharing Contract signed with the Congolese government, QatarEnergy will hold a 35% stake, while TotalEnergies, acting as operator, will take 50%, and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo will retain 15%, as reported by the Gulf Times.
“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,” said Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, who also serves as President and CEO of QatarEnergy.
He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of the Republic of Congo for their valuable cooperation, and we look forward to delivering on a successful exploration campaign in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders.”
The Nzombo block lies about 90 kilometers offshore from Pointe-Noire, spanning 1,053 square kilometers with sea depths exceeding 1,000 meters.
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Elsewhere on the continent, exploration momentum is also gaining traction. In January, Rwanda reported its first-ever oil discovery with the identification of 13 reservoirs in Lake Kivu, which straddles the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The find represents a pivotal step in Rwanda’s economic diversification efforts beyond its heavy reliance on tourism, mining, and agriculture.
Further south, French major TotalEnergies announced plans to commence offshore drilling in South Africa by 2026, pending regulatory approval.
In neighboring Namibia, now considered one of the world’s most promising offshore frontiers, Chevron disclosed in April that it is considering drilling an exploratory well in the Walvis Basin between 2026 and 2027.
The excitement around Namibia’s reserves has already drawn comparisons to Guyana’s prolific oil discoveries.
In West Africa, Sierra Leone recently completed its first offshore 3D seismic survey in nearly a decade, conducted with GeoPartners.
The six-week survey aims to de-risk exploration while supplying detailed data to attract investment.
Estimates suggest the offshore area could hold up to 30 billion barrels of recoverable oil equivalent, including the Vega prospect, which alone may contain 3 billion barrels.
The government is expected to decide later this year whether to initiate a new licensing round.
As per Business Insider, Angola also recorded a significant find when Azule Energy announced in July that its Gajajeira-01 well in Block 1/14 uncovered gas and condensate-bearing formations in the Lower Congo Basin.
Early assessments point to more than 1 trillion cubic feet of gas and up to 100 million barrels of condensate.
Meanwhile, off the coast of Benin, drilling has resumed at the historic Sèmè offshore field after a 27-year pause.
Singapore-based Akrake Petroleum is leading the redevelopment effort, aiming to revive one of West Africa’s oldest oil fields.
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Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
