• Petronas to lay off 5,000 staff as part of a major restructuring for future competitiveness

• African operations not directly addressed, but changes could affect partnerships and timelines

• Company shifts focus to low-carbon projects amid global energy transition

Malaysian oil company Petronas, a key player in Africa’s hydrocarbons sector, will cut around 5,000 jobs—roughly 10% of its global workforce—as part of a broad restructuring plan to maintain competitiveness in the medium and long term. The announcement comes amid pressure from shifting energy prices, industry changes, and the ongoing global transition to cleaner energy.

"This difficult decision is necessary to ensure that Petronas remains able to grow and serve the nation," the company said, noting that departing employees will receive severance packages, career transition assistance, and job placement support.

The job cuts mainly affect support roles such as human resources and finance, where staffing levels reportedly exceed sector norms. The company did not specify how the changes will affect operations in Africa, where Petronas has active interests in countries like Sudan and Egypt.

In 2022, Petronas had considered divesting up to $3 billion in upstream assets in Africa. Although no final decision was made, the internal review highlights how future strategic changes may affect ongoing or planned projects on the continent.

Petronas is also repositioning itself to become a supplier of low-carbon intensity solutions, especially in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector. This focus could alter the status of African ventures not aligned with the company’s new direction.

No specific decisions regarding African assets have been announced, but the restructuring could impact timelines, investment flows, or technical resource allocation. Continental partners are expected to monitor the situation closely.