For many of Africa’s most emblematic oil and gas jurisdictions, 2025 has been a year of transformation, with countries approaching first oil, achieving first oil, or, in more mature jurisdictions,rejigging existing frameworks to heed off the end of oil. From one end of the spectrum to the other, African governments are reviewing their sometimes challenged histories with the natural resources sector and calling into question old ways of doing business.Governments across the continent, including newly inducted members of the oil and gas producing club and soon to become members are redefining their relationships with the old order, from mining to hydrocarbons. 

Among mature producers, West Africa’s upstream is particularly awash with changes. In Nigeria, indigenous companies have, in multi-billion-dollar transactions, acquired ownership of onshoreIOC assets in the Niger Delta, marking a historic moment for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa’soil and gas industry. In Angola, IOCs continue to dominate production offshore, and are making significant investments. However, as the Angolan upstream sector matures and its natural decline progresses, Angolan regulators recognize that the nature of the industry must evolve. Smaller, local players are being encouraged to increase production, fund exploration campaigns, and onshore productionfields are being promoted. GBR is pleased to release its Africa Energy 2025 report, following four months of interviews and research across Sub-Saharan Africa, during which time we met with over 120 companies, including those in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, as well as governments, financiers, and service providers.