• African LNG exports rise 27% to 11.32 million tons in Q1 2026

• Supply disruptions in the Middle East drive demand from Europe and Asia

• Nigeria leads exports, while Mauritania and Congo record sharp growth

African exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) rose by 27% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. The volume reached 11.32 million tons, according to a report published on April 16 by The Energy Research Unit. The continent accounted for 9.96% of global LNG exports, which totaled 113.6 million tons between January 1 and March 31.

The increase was largely driven by supply disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East. Damage to oil and gas infrastructure in the region, along with reduced maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, forced several European and Asian countries to quickly adjust their energy sourcing and turn more to Africa for LNG supplies.

The report shows that five African countries accounted for 88% of the continent’s total LNG exports during the period. Nigeria led with 4.99 million tons, up 45% year-on-year. Algeria ranked second with 2.04 million tons, despite an 8% decline compared with the first quarter of 2025.

The drop in Algeria’s exports is tied to lower output during maintenance work at the Arzew gas liquefaction complex in the country’s northwest. The project, led by the Industrial Maintenance Company of Arzew (SOMIZ), a subsidiary of Sonatrach, in partnership with China’s Sinopec, aims to double the facility’s production capacity. The benefits, however, are not expected before 2027.

Mauritania and Congo gain ground

Angola ranked third among African LNG exporters in the first quarter of 2026, with 1.25 million tons, up 30%. It was followed by Mozambique (914,000 tons, down 3%) and Equatorial Guinea (735,000 tons, down 6%).

Other countries recorded sharp increases. Mauritania saw its exports surge from 42,000 tons in the first quarter of 2025 to 703,000 tons in the same period of 2026. The country, which became an LNG exporter in 2025 through the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project developed with Senegal, BP, and Kosmos Energy, posted a 1,574% year-on-year increase, ranking sixth among African exporters.

The Republic of Congo nearly doubled its exports, rising 98% to 273,000 tons, placing eighth in Africa behind Cameroon (283,000 tons, down 27%). Egypt exported 162,000 tons in the first quarter of 2026 after no shipments during the same period in 2025. However, exports were halted in March due to disruptions in gas supplies from Israel before resuming in April.

Walid Kéfi