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 stepping up as 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

This overview explores Africa’s leading LNG powerhouse countries, their natural gas reserves, production & export capabilities, and other dynamics.

Nigeria

• LNG plant: Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited – Operational
• Location: Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria
• Founding Date: 1989
• Ownership:
  • Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited: 49%
  • Shell Gas BV: 25.6%
  • TotalEnergies Gaz & Électricité Holdings: 15%
  • Eni International NA: 10.4%
• Operations: NLNG operates an LNG production and export facility in Bonny Island, Rivers State.
• Infrastructure:
  • Six trains with Train 7 under construction.
  • LNG storage tanks and condensate tanks.
• Production Capacity: NLNG operates six trains (LNG production units) that can produce around 22 million tons of LNG and 5 million tons of NGLs, making it the 7th largest LNG exporter in the world.
• Gas supply: NLNG sources gas from various offshore and onshore fields in the Niger Delta region, supplied by upstream gas producers.
  • Shell Fields: Gbaran Ubie, Soku, Bonny (onshore), and offshore fields like Bonga and EA.
  • ENI Fields: Obiafu-Obrikom (OB-OB) Processing Centre, sourcing gas from fields including Idu, Akri, Kwale, Irri, Oshie, Tebidaba, and Ebocha.
  • TotalEnergies Fields Supplied: Onshore fields such as Obite, Ibewa, and Obagi, as well as offshore platforms like Amenam and Akpo.
  • Aradel Fields: Ogbelle-Obumeze facilities.
• Proven Gas Reserves: 209 Trillion Cubic Feet, Largest in Africa & 9th largest globally.
• Products: Liquefied Natural Gas, Condensates, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids.
• Export Markets: In 2023, Nigeria exported 17.5 billion cubic meters (12.7 MTPA)of LNG, roughly 10% of the world’s LNG supply.
  • Europe: France, Spain, Italy, Portugal & the UK.
  • Asia: India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan.
  • America: Brazil & the United States.
• Challenges: Inadequate feed gas supply, intense competition from other LNG powerhouses, under-investment, fluctuating global LNG prices, political instability, and periodic security concerns in the Niger Delta.

Overview

NLNG is a leading LNG powerhouse in Africa. It is the largest LNG producer and exporter in Africa. Located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, Nigeria’s LNG plant is strategically positioned to export LNG to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. However, the most significant project for NLNG is completing Train 7. The completion of Train 7 will increase capacity by 35%, reaching over 30 million tons per annum, reinforcing NLNG’s position in global LNG markets. Also, NLNG seeks to expand its customer base, especially in Asia and the Middle East. The future outlook for this LNG powerhouse in Africa is optimistic due to the rising global demand for LNG across Asia.

Angola

• LNG Plant: Angola LNG
• Location: Soyo, Zaire Province, Angola
• Founding Date: 2013
• Ownership:
  • Chevron, as the operator: 36.4%
  • Sonangol, Angola’s national oil company: 22.8%
  • BP: 13.6%
  • Eni: 13.6%
  • TotalEnergies: 13.6%
• Operations: Angola LNG operates an LNG production facility in Soyo, in the Zaire Province of Angola.
• Infrastructure:
  • A single LNG train with supporting facilities including gas processing units, storage tanks, and export terminals.
• Production Capacity: Angola LNG operates a single train that can produce about 5.2 million tons of LNG.
• Gas Supply: Angola LNG’s gas feedstock primarily comes from the offshore oil fields in the Deepwater Block 0 and Block 14 in the Angolan offshore region.
  • Block 0: Chevron
  • Block 14: TotalEnergies, Sonangol, and BP
• Proven Gas Reserves: 11 Trillion Cubic Feet.
• Products: Liquefied Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, & Condensates.
• Export Markets:
  • Europe: Spain, Portugal & the UK
  • Asia: South Korea, Japan, China.
  • America: Brazil & the United States.
• Challenges: Periodic maintenance issues have impacted production levels and reliability, resulting in some unplanned shutdowns. Also, Angola LNG faces competition from other global LNG suppliers.

Overview

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. It also includes gas processing facilities, liquefaction, storage, and export terminals. In addition, Angola LNG exports LNG to Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with significant markets in countries like Spain, China, and the United States. The future outlook for Angola is bright due to rising global demand for LNG across Asia.

Mozambique

• LNG plants:
  • Mozambique & Rovuma LNG: Under development
  • Coral South FLNG: Fully operational and exporting LNG to global markets
• Location:
  • 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.
• Founding Date:
  • Mozambique LNG: Final Investment Decision in June 2019.
  • Rovuma LNG: FID in October 2019.
  • Coral South FLNG: FID in June 2017; production began in November 2022.
• Ownership:
  • Mozambique LNG (Area 1 Project): TotalEnergies (26.5%), Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (15%), Mitsui & Co (20%), ONGC Videsh Limited (20%), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (20%) & PTT Exploration and Production (8.5%).
  • Rovuma LNG (Area 4 Project): Eni (25%), ExxonMobil (25%), China National Petroleum Corporation (20%), ENH (10%), KOGAS (10%), ADNOC (10%).
  • Coral South FLNG: Same as Rovuma LNG.
• Infrastructure:
  • Mozambique LNG: Onshore liquefaction plant on the Afungi Peninsula.
  • Rovuma LNG: Onshore plant near the Afungi Peninsula.
  • Coral South FNG: A floating liquefied natural gas facility (FLNG) processes gas directly at sea.
• Production Capacity:
  • The Mozambique LNG: 12.88 million tons per annum.
  • Rovuma LNG: 15.2 million tons per annum.
  • Coral South FLNG: 3.4 million per annum.
• Gas Supply:
  • The Mozambique LNG: Feedstock will come from the Golfinho-Atum fields.
  • Rovuma LNG: Gas feedstock will come from the Mamba Complex.
  • Coral South FLNG: The feedstock for Coral FLNG comes from the Coral South gas field.
• Proven Gas Reserves:
  • Mozambique LNG: 65 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF).
  • Rovuma LNG: Over 85 Trillion Cubic Feet of recoverable natural gas (shared with Coral South FLNG).
• Products: Liquefied Natural Gas & Natural Gas Liquids.
• Export Markets: Coral South FLNG
  • Asia: China, South Korea, Japan.
  • Europe: Germany, Italy, Spain, & France.
• Challenges: Fluctuating LNG prices. It is Located in the Cabo Delgado region, off the coast of northern Mozambique, plagued by insurgencies and logistical challenges.

Overview

Mozambique is an emerging LNG powerhouse in Africa. For instance, the Mozambique LNG is a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) project located in the Rovuma Basin off the northern coast of Mozambique. This project seeks to develop one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world. The project primarily focuses on producing, liquefying, and exporting natural gas to global markets in Asia and Europe.

Egypt

• 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.
• Founding Date:
  • Idku LNG: 2005
  • Damietta LNG: 2005
• Ownership:
  • Idku LNG: Owned and operated by Egyptian LNG (ELNG), a joint venture comprising the following stakeholders: Shell (35.5%), Petronas (35.5%), ENGHC (12%), and Tharwa Petroleum (5%).
  • The Damietta LNG plant: Eni (50%), ENGHC (40%), and EGPC (10%).
• Infrastructure & Operations
  • Idku: Two LNG trains, gas processing units, storage tanks (140,000 cubic meters), and export terminals.
  • Damietta LNG: Single train, gas processing units, storage tanks (360,000 cubic meters), and export terminals.
  • Located near Egypt’s major gas production sites.
  • Egypt’s strategic location allows it to ship LNG to Europe, Asia, and other global markets.
  • Gas is delivered via a network of pipelines connected to upstream production facilities.
• 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.
• Gas Supply:
  • Idku: Nile Delta Gas Fields, Zohr Gas Field, and West Nile Delta Project
  • Damietta LNG plant: West Delta Deep Marine, Atoll Field, Zohr Field & West Nile Delta (WND) Project
• Proven Reserves: 63 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Products: Liquefied Natural Gas, Condensates, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Export Markets: In 2023, Egypt exported 8.9 billion cubic meters (3.7 MTPA) of LNG.
  • 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.

Overview

Egypt is a well-established LNG Powerhouse in Africa. The country has leveraged its geographical location to become a significant LNG exporter to European countries. As Egypt develops more natural gas fields in the Mediterranean, Egypt LNG is poised to increase its export capacity. Thus, new fields like the Noor field and Atoll gas field will contribute to LNG production in the future.

Tanzania

• LNG plant: Tanzania LNG Project (TPDC-led)
• Location: Lindi Region, Southeastern Tanzania, along the Indian Ocean coast.
• Ownership: Equinor (Norway), Shell (UK), ExxonMobil (USA), Ophir Energy (UK), Pavilion Energy (Singapore), and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation(Government-owned entity).
• Infrastructure & Operations:
  • The project includes the construction of one LNG liquefaction plant near Lindi.
  • Gas from offshore blocks will be transported to the onshore LNG terminal in Lindi through subsea pipelines.
  • The terminal will include facilities to process, liquefy, and store the gas for export.
• Production Capacity: The facility is expected to have a production capacity of around 10-15 million tons per annum (MTPA).
• Gas Supply: Offshore gas fields
  • Blocks 1 and 4: About 16 TCF of gas
  • Block 2: contains 20 TCF of gas
• Proven Reserves: 57 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Products: Liquefied Natural Gas, Condensates, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Potential Export Markets: Tanzania’s location allows shorter shipping times to key markets in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
  • Europe: Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
  • Africa: Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa 
  • Asia: China, India, Japan, and South Korea
• Challenges:
  • Tanzania will compete with established LNG exporters like Qatar, Australia, and the United States.
  • Fluctuations in LNG demand and prices could impact export strategies.

Overview

The Tanzania LNG Project is a flagship project that aims to transform Tanzania into an LNG Powerhouse in Africa. Located in the Lindi Region, southeastern Tanzania, the project seeks to capitalize on the country’s vast natural gas reserves, assessed at over 57 trillion cubic feet, to produce and export LNG to international markets. Therefore, it involves developing an LNG processing and export terminal capable of producing up to 10 million tons of LNG per annum (mtpa), along with associated infrastructure such as pipelines and storage facilities.

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.
• Ownership:
  • Skikda LNG: Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas company
  • Arzew LNG Complex: Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas company
• Infrastructure & Operations:
  • Skikda LNG: 6 LNG trains, gas processing units, storage tanks, and export terminals.
  • Arzew LNG: 3 LNG trains, gas processing units, storage tanks, and export terminals.
  • Extensive pipeline networks supply natural gas to LNG plants and export it directly to Europe (Medgaz pipeline to Spain).
  • Also, Algeria’s strategic location offers it easy access to key export markets in Europe and global markets.
• 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 (MTPA).
• Gas Supply:
  • Skikda LNG: Algeria’s Hassi R’Mel and Ouargla gas fields
  • Arzew: Hassi R’Mel gas fields
• Proven Reserves: 159 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Products: Liquefied Natural Gas, Condensates, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Export Markets: In 2023, Algeria’s LNG export volume stood at 19 billion cubic meters.
  • Europe: Spain, Italy, the UK, and France
  • Asia: China, Japan, and South Korea.
• Challenges:
  • Many LNG facilities require modernization to maintain competitiveness.
  • Fluctuating LNG prices
  • Intense competition from other exporters like Qatar and the United States.
  • Regional instability

Overview

Algeria is a leading African LNG powerhouse that leverages its vast natural gas reserves and strategic location to serve global LNG markets. It ranks Africa’s largest natural gas producer, with over 159 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves. Situated at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean, Algeria benefits from its proximity to key markets such as Europe, which relies on Algerian LNG for energy security.

Equatorial Guinea

• LNG Plants: Punta Europa LNG Plant
• Location: Bioko Island, near Malabo
• Founding Date: 2007
• Ownership: Marathon Oil (60%); Sonagas, the National Gas Company of Equatorial Guinea (25%); Mitsui & Co Ltd. (8.5%); & Marubeni Corporation (6.5%)
• Infrastructure & Operations:
  • The plant processes gas primarily sourced from the Alba Field, pivotal for LNG and liquids production.
  • Includes advanced gas processing plants and storage tanks capable of holding significant LNG volumes for export.
  • A robust network connects offshore gas fields with onshore facilities, ensuring efficient transportation and processing.
• Production Capacity: 
  • The plant has a production capacity of approximately 3.7 million tons per annum (MTPA).
• Gas Supply:
  • Gas is supplied from the Alba Field, an offshore field jointly operated by Marathon Oil and its partners.
• Proven Reserves: 1.3 Trillion Cubic Feet
• Products: Liquefied Natural Gas, Condensates, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Export Markets:
  • Europe: Spain and Portugal.
  • Asia: China, Japan, and South Korea.
  • Americas: Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.
• Challenges: Limited reserves and infrastructure constraints
• Although a smaller player compared to other countries Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea has been an established LNG powerhouse in Africa for years. The country’s LNG industry is centred around its Punta Europa complex.

Overview

Equatorial Guinea is an emerging force in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, leveraging its offshore gas reserves to position itself as a key exporter. The country’s LNG operations are centred around the Punta Europa LNG plant on Bioko Island, which has been operational since 2007. Situated on the Gulf of Guinea, Equatorial Guinea is ideally located to export LNG to both Atlantic and global markets.

The government promotes projects like Gas Mega Hub, which pools gas from neighbouring countries (Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gabon) for processing and export through Equatorial Guinea’s facilities.

Notable Mention

Senegal and Mauritania

• Status: Emerging players with the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project.
• Infrastructure: GTA Phase 1 includes a floating LNG (FLNG) facility.
• Export Destinations: Expected to serve European and Asian markets.
• Capacity: Initial production of 2.5 mtpa, with expansion potential.
• Key Operators: BP and Kosmos Energy.