• Phase 2 of Congo LNG raises national liquefaction capacity to 3 mtpa

• New Nguya FLNG unit supports exports while supplying part of domestic demand

• Higher output could give Congo 8–9 % of Africa’s LNG exports if volumes hold

With the launch of Phase 2 of Congo LNG, the country has taken a new step in developing its gas industry. The start of operations, announced on December 2, by project operator Eni, lifts Congo’s liquefaction capacity to 3 million tons per year (mtpa).

This milestone follows the first exports completed in 2024 with the Tango FLNG unit. It is marked by the arrival offshore of the new Nguya FLNG and by the introduction of gas into the offshore facilities.

The new production unit, with a capacity of about 2.4 mtpa, expands the existing setup and paves the way for regular export flows, while allocating part of the associated gas to domestic needs.

Across Africa, liquefaction capacity reported in 2024 publications by the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers, S&P Global Commodity Insights, and the African Energy Chamber (AEC) shows about 25 mtpa in Algeria, nearly 22 mtpa in Nigeria, 12 mtpa in Egypt, 5.2 mtpa in Angola, 3.7 mtpa in Equatorial Guinea, 3.4 mtpa in Mozambique, and 2.4 mtpa in Cameroon.

The AEC estimates that African LNG exports reached 34.7 million metric tons in 2024. Based on this volume, full ramp-up of Congo LNG could allow the country to account for about 8 to 9 % of the continent’s exported supply, assuming output remains stable across producing states.

This expansion comes as the country strengthens the framework for developing its gas sector. Ecofin Agency recently reported that Congo is implementing a local content strategy to support gas monetization and preparing a new gas code aimed at attracting more investment into the industry.

Abdel-Latif Boureima