Explore Leading LNG Powerhouse Countries in Africa

Thanks to its abundant natural gas reserves and strategic geographic location, some African countries are rapidly establishing themselves as LNG powerhouses.

LNG has become a pivotal resource as global energy demand shifts toward cleaner fuels. Thus, several African countries are becoming crucial producers and exporters, becoming LNG powerhouses.

This transformation is driven by investments supported by government policies, gas exploration, advanced infrastructure, and export capabilities.

As LNG demand from Asia & Europe surges, some African countries have transformed into LNG powerhouses.

Africa has several leading LNG powerhouse countries due to its vast natural gas reserves, growing LNG production & export capabilities, and strategic geographical advantages.

Leading LNG Powerhouse Countries in Africa

NLNG is a leading LNG powerhouse in Africa. It is the largest LNG producer and exporter in Africa. Strategically located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, the plant can export LNG to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The future outlook for this LNG powerhouse in Africa is optimistic due to the rising global demand for LNG across Asia.

Angola: Established LNG Supplier

• Location: Soyo, Zaire Province, Angola
• Owner & Operator: Angola LNG Ltd, which includes Chevron (36.4%), Sonangol (22.8%), TotalEnergies (13.6%), BP (13.6%), and ENI (13.6%)
• Operations: Angola LNG operates an LNG production facility in Soyo, in the Zaire Province of Angola
• Production Capacity: Angola LNG operates a single train that can produce about 5.2 million tons of LNG
• Proven Gas Reserves: 4.6 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Export Markets:
  • Europe: Spain, France, Belgium, the UK
  • Asia: India
• Challenges: Periodic maintenance issues have impacted production levels, leading to unplanned shutdowns. Also, Angola LNG faces competition from other global LNG suppliers.

Located in Soyo, on Africa’s west coast, Angola is a leading LNG powerhouse in Africa. As an LNG powerhouse, the Soyo plant has a design capacity of 5.2 million tons of LNG per year.

Mozambique: Next Major LNG Exporter

• LNG plants:
  • Mozambique & Rovuma LNG: Under development
  • Coral South FLNG: Fully operational
• Locations:
  • Mozambique & Rovuma LNG: Cabo Delgado Province of northern Mozambique
  • Coral South FLNG: Offshore Area 4, the Rovuma Basin, 50 km from the coast of Cabo Delgado Province, northern Mozambique
• Operators:
  • Coral South FLNG: Eni, the First floating LNG facility in Africa, operational since 2022.
  • Rovuma LNG: Mozambique Rovuma Venture
  • Mozambique LNG: TotalEnergies
• Ownership:
  • Coral South FLNG: Coral South LNG
  • Rovuma LNG: Mozambique Rovuma Venture
  • Mozambique LNG: TotalEnergies, Mitsui Group, ENH, ONGC, Bharat Petroleum, PTTEP, and Oil India
• Production Capacity:
  • The Mozambique LNG: 12.9 million tons per annum
  • Rovuma LNG: 18 million tons per annum
  • Coral South FLNG: 3.4 million per annum
• Proven Gas Reserves: 100 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven natural gas reserves, Africa’s third-largest holder after Nigeria and Algeria
• Export Markets:
  • Asia: China, India, South Korea, Japan
  • Europe: Italy & France
• Challenges: Fluctuating LNG prices and security issues in Cabo Delgado province delaying onshore projects.

Mozambique is an emerging LNG powerhouse in Africa.

Egypt: The Mediterranean LNG Powerhouse

• LNG plants:
  • Idku & Damietta LNG: Fully Operational
• Location:
  • Idku LNG: Idku, 50 km east of Alexandria
  • Damietta LNG: Damietta, 60 km west of Port Said
• Owner & Operator:
  • Idku & Damietta LNG: Owned and operated by Egyptian LNG (ELNG)
• Production Capacity:
  • Located east of Alexandria, the Idku LNG plant can produce around 7.2 million tons of LNG annually.
  • Situated on the Mediterranean coast, the Damietta LNG plant can produce about 5 million tons of LNG annually
  • The two LNG plants have an estimated annual capacity of 12 million tons, making Egypt one of the largest LNG powerhouses in the region
• Proven Reserves: 78 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Export Markets:
  • Europe: Italy, France, and Spain
  • Middle East: Turkey, Jordan
  • Asia: China & Japan
• Challenges: Geopolitical and Security Risks in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Egypt is a well-established LNG Powerhouse in Africa. Egypt’s strategic location allows it to ship LNG to Europe, Asia, and other global markets.

Tanzania: Future LNG Exporter

• LNG plant: Tanzania LNG Project (TPDC-led)
• Location: Lindi Region, Southeastern Tanzania, along the Indian Ocean coast
• Owner & Operator: Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, Equinor, Shell, ExxonMobil, Pavilion Energy, MedcoEnergi
• Production Capacity: The facility is expected to have a production capacity of around 10-15 million tons per annum (MTPA).
• Proven Reserves: 57 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Potential Export Markets: Europe, Asia, and Africa

The Tanzania LNG Project is a flagship project that aims to transform Tanzania into an LNG Powerhouse in Africa.

Algeria

• LNG Plants:
  • Skikda LNG Plant: Operational
  • Arzew LNG Complex: Operational
• Location:
  • Skikda LNG: Skikda, on Algeria’s Mediterranean coast (Northeastern Algeria)
  • Arzew LNG Complex: Arzew, Oran Province, North West Algeria, on the Mediterranean Sea
• Owner & Operator: Skikda & Arzew LNG, owned and operated by Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas company
• Production Capacity:
  • Skikida LNG: One of the largest in Algeria, 4.5 million tons of LNG per annum
  • Arzew LNG: About 15 million tons per year
• Proven Reserves: 159 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Export Markets: In 2023, Algeria’s LNG export volume stood at 19 billion cubic meters.
  • Europe: Spain, Greece, the UK, Italy, and France
  • Asia: China and India
• Challenges: Its LNG facilities require modernization to maintain competitiveness and regional instability.

Algeria is a leading African LNG powerhouse that leverages its vast natural gas reserves and strategic location to serve global LNG markets. Situated at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean, Algeria benefits from its proximity to key markets in Europe.

Equatorial Guinea

• LNG Plants: Punta Europa LNG Plant
• Location: Bioko Island, near Malabo
• Owner & Operator: Equatorial Guinea (EG) LNG Holdings Ltd
• Production Capacity:  The plant has a production capacity of approximately 3.7 million tons per annum
• Proven Reserves: 1.3 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Export Markets:
  • Europe: Spain and Portugal.
  • Asia: China and India
• Challenges: Limited reserves and infrastructure constraints

Equatorial Guinea is an emerging force in the LNG industry. Situated on the Gulf of Guinea, It is ideally located to export LNG to Atlantic and global markets.