By Ebi Kesiena
Angola is overhauling its energy strategy by placing natural gas at the heart of its economic plans, according to the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) State of African Energy 2026 Outlook.
After years of treating gas mainly as a byproduct of oil production, the country is now positioning it as a major engine for exports, electricity generation and industrial development. This marks a clear break from Angola’s long-standing dependence on associated gas, much of which was previously reinjected into offshore oil fields to sustain crude output, leaving large gas resources untapped.
A major turning point came with the launch of Angola LNG in 2008, which allowed the country to access global LNG markets while cutting emissions by capturing gas that would otherwise have been flared or reinjected.
Fresh supply is now coming on stream. Chevron’s Sanha Lean Gas project, which produced first gas in late 2024, is adding volumes to Angola LNG. Meanwhile, the New Gas Consortium led by Azule Energy alongside Sonangol, Equinor and Acrep is pushing forward non-associated gas projects in the Lower Congo Basin. The Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields are expected to help fill LNG capacity by 2026.
Exploration is also picking up pace. Azule’s Gajajeira-01 discovery in 2025, along with planned drilling in the Congo Fan and Namibe Basin, points to renewed confidence in Angola’s gas prospects. Still, obstacles persist. Several pre-salt finds in the Kwanza Basin remain stranded due to deepwater development costs and the lack of pipelines to bring gas onshore.
Infrastructure remains the sector’s biggest challenge. The AEC noted that developing Kwanza Basin gas would require new pipelines to Caboledo, connections to Luanda for domestic supply, and possible extensions to Soyo to feed Angola LNG. High capital costs and tariff issues have slowed progress, fueling calls for targeted fiscal incentives and blended financing to unlock midstream investments.
At the same time, domestic gas demand is rising. Under the Angola Gas Master Plan, major power and industrial projects are underway, including expansions at the Soyo combined-cycle gas plant and a 2,300-tonnes-per-day ammonia plant that began construction in 2025. Together, these projects could absorb large volumes of gas, boosting energy security and supporting industrial growth.
“Gas gives Angola the chance to industrialise, stabilise electricity supply and monetise resources that were previously wasted,” said AEC Executive Chairman NJ
Meanwhile, Ayuk, explained that timely investment in infrastructure and pricing frameworks will determine success in Africa’s emerging gas economy.
