Regulation that Brings Results: The Impact of Reform on Africa’s Oil and Gas Markets

 

As African oil-producing nations seek to boost output and attract new capital, regulatory reform has emerged as a key catalyst. Countries such as Angola, Nigeria and the Republic of Congo demonstrate how clear frameworks, transparent licensing and targeted incentives can accelerate investment. As emerging producers gain prominence across the continent, lessons from Africa’s largest oil and gas markets show that the right reforms do more than improve governance – they deliver production, investment and measurable results.

Regulatory Restructuring Drives Investment

Angola has been among the continent’s most proactive reformers, implementing multi-year licensing rounds, establishing the National Oil, Gas&Biofuels Agency, and introducing measures such as the incremental production decree. These initiatives have revitalized exploration across both frontier and mature basins, enabling new discoveries such as ExxonMobil’s Likember-01 and Azule Energy’s Block 1/14 gas find, while driving forward integrated projects like Kaminho, Agogo and the New Gas Consortium gas development – all crucial to sustaining production above one million barrels per day (bpd). Supportive policies have generated an investment pipeline of $70 billion over the coming years, underscoring the role of regulation in advancing national priorities.

Nigeria has also highlighted the impact of reform in scaling production. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 overhauled the oil and gas sector, streamlining licensing and reducing bureaucracy to restore investor confidence and target 2.5 million bpd. Successive licensing rounds in 2024 and 2025 further enhanced the market’s appeal, with the latest November 2025 bid round offering 50 blocks and targeting $10 billion in new investment.

The Republic of Congo is pursuing equally ambitious reforms, aiming for 500,000 bpd in 2025 and expanding LNG output to 3 million tons per annum. A planned Gas Master Plan, dedicated Gas Code and new licensing rounds are strengthening the investment climate. These reforms complement ongoing projects, including TotalEnergies’ $600 million investment in Moho Nord, Trident and Perenco’s expanded drilling, as well as the second phase of Congo LNG, which began in November 2025. Congo’s regulatory push is designed to maximize production from existing assets while opening opportunities for new market entrants.

Lessons for Emerging Producers

The experiences of Africa’s largest oil and gas markets offer critical guidance for emerging producers. Namibia, following successful exploration in the offshore Orange Basin, is targeting first oil by 2029 through the TotalEnergies-led Venus project and the Galp-led Mopane complex. Onshore, ReconAfrica’s hydrocarbon discovery at Kavango West 1x in December 2025 underscores the country’s growing investment potential. To maintain confidence as exploration transitions to development, Namibia can emulate regional best practices: establish stable fiscal regimes early, resist frequent revisions and ensure predictable project economics as discoveries move toward commercialization.

Uganda, which anticipates first oil production at the Kingfisher and Tilenga fields in 2026, stands to benefit from lessons across the region. Alongside its oilfields, the 1,443-km East African Crude Oil Pipeline will link Lake Albert developments to the Port of Tanga in Tanzania. With its pipeline-driven model, Uganda can draw on Congo’s integrated planning approach – aligning upstream, midstream and industrial policy to ensure resource development translates into long-term national value. Efficient permitting, accelerated local-content development and secure infrastructure will be critical as construction peaks.

As discoveries mature, regulatory frameworks must evolve from exploration-focused policies to comprehensive strategies for development, commercialization and export. This is where African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 plays a vital role. As the continent’s premier policy platform, AEW enables governments, investors and regulators to collaborate on reforms and share lessons from across Africa.

“Africa’s energy future will be built by countries that embrace reform, attract investment and move fast. Strong policies unlock strong projects, and when regulators, investors and industry work together, we see real results – more wells drilled, more gas commercialized and more opportunities created. If we want to make energy poverty history, then policy clarity, stability and bold decision-making must remain at the center of Africa’s oil and gas agenda,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.