LNG Leads Capex Growth in African Energy Expansion 2026-30

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Written by Paul Wiseman for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

Industrial Info Resources is tracking 31 grassroot LNG projects in Africa scheduled to be completed from the second half of this year to the end of 2030, with a TIV US$78.48 billion.

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Giving It the Gas

As a continent, Africa is a significant source of oil and natural gas. It produced about 8% of the world's oil, and 6-7% of the world's natural gas in 2023, according to Investopedia, putting it in a position to insulate itself from world events such as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Now that very blockade is pushing the continent's nations to invest billions to get more oil and gas to the surface and to market.

Industrial Info Resources data show 31 grassroot liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Africa scheduled to be completed from the second half of 2026 to the end of 2030, with a combined total investment value (TIV) US$78.48 billion.

LNG is the top source of energy capex on the continent through Q1 of 2027 according to Industrial Info Resources data. Results of that investment are starting to show already.

Also according to Industrial Info Resources, the continent's LNG exports grew by 27% in Q1 of 2026, to almost 10% of the global total. Additionally, "African LNG exports could reach 15-20% by 2030 based on planned projects."

In the August 19, 2026 story, Africa Nations Invest Billions in Oil/Gas Production, Infrastructure, for Energy Security, Industrial Info Resources reported on Africa's two biggest LNG projects, Total Energies' 12.9 million-tonne-per-annum (MTPA) Mozambique LNG project, and ExxonMobil's 18-MTPA Rovuma LNG project. The Total Energies LNG plant is under construction, and ExxonMobil is targeting Q4 2026 for a final investment decision (FID) on its plant.

Congo, Senegal & Mauritania Board the LNG Train

Here are some other significant LNG projects in Africa:

Eni's completion of Phase 2 of Congo LNG's Tango and Nguya floating LNG (FLNG) units at Marine VII FLU brings the plant's total liquefaction capacity to just over 3 MTPA. That total includes Marine VII FLU's existing capacity. All three units are located offshore in the Congo Basin, between 20 and 50 km from shore.

In Nigeria, the Train 7 expansion at its Bonny Island LNG plant will add 7.6 MTPA of capacity. According to Industrial Info Resources data, "4.2 million metric tonnes will from one new liquefaction train (Train 7), and 3.4 million metric tonnes will come from the debottlenecking of existing trains."

As this expansion ramps up, Nigerian LNG exports should reach 26.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2026, up 32.5% from the previous year.

Senegal's biggest growth should come from Kosmos Energy's Senegal-Mauritania GTA project Phase 1 in 2026. A possible Phase 2 is being evaluated, and if sanctioned and completed, would add 2.5-3 MTPA LNG capacity.

These two nations are also seeing new offshore oil projects under consideration that could further expand both oil and natural gas production.

There is possible LNG growth in the Republic of Congo and deepwater Gulf of Guinea, which together could push both oil and natural gas (feeding LNG) production much higher once they are completed, possibly as soon as 2027.

Africa's Import-Export Dilemma

For decades Africa's energy problem has not been about producing oil and gas. Instead, its self-sufficiency dilemma has been that it exports raw crude, then it imports basically that same oil back in refined products such as gasoline, diesel, and others--at a much higher price.

So it is still subject to shipping costs and international dangers. Nigerian billionaire and the continent's richest man Aliko Dangote is among those working to change that with his Lekki refinery, but other refineries on the continent are few, small, and unreliable.

Africa's oil and gas infrastructure will be covered in more detail in the next installment of this series.

By the Numbers

• 27%: Africa's LNG export growth in 2026
• <10%: Amount of world LNG exports coming from Africa

Key Takeaways

• Geopolitical strife has put all nations and continents on notice about energy security, and Africa is no different.
• The continent's nations and investors are plowing billions into discovering, producing and transporting oil and gas.
• Its next challenge will be to refine its own oil, removing another vulnerability to international upheaval.

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About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).