• Petrobras left Nigeria in 2019 but is now preparing a return under talks on deepwater blocks.
• Tinubu and Lula pledged closer cooperation across energy, trade, aviation, and finance.
• Petrobras sees Africa as its top exploration zone outside Brazil, targeting Nigeria, Angola, and Namibia.

During a state visit to Brazil, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced on yesterday that Brazilian oil company Petrobras will soon return to Nigeria’s petroleum sector. The state-owned company had withdrawn from Nigeria in 2019 as part of efforts to streamline its asset portfolio.

Tinubu, speaking alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said Petrobras is preparing a swift return, while Lula pledged to accelerate the process. Technical talks are underway between Nigeria and Petrobras regarding two deepwater blocks.

Authorities confirmed that discussions are continuing on deep offshore opportunities and on implementing five memoranda of understanding signed to strengthen Nigeria-Brazil cooperation in trade, aviation, science, finance, and energy.

Africa now a priority for Petrobras outside Brazil

Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard said in late June that Africa has become the company’s main exploration focus outside Brazil, due to geological similarities between African and Brazilian sedimentary basins.

She noted that Nigeria, Angola, and Namibia are among the key destinations, while Côte d’Ivoire has offered Petrobras priority access to nine offshore blocks.

The company has already expanded its African portfolio. In 2023, Petrobras acquired a stake in a field in South Africa, followed in early 2024 by another project in São Tomé and Príncipe, where drilling is expected this year. Petrobras is also a candidate for future participation in Namibia’s Orange Basin.