Angola has announced a major breakthrough in offshore energy exploration after uncovering over one trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Lower Congo Basin, marking the country’s first-ever gas-focused discovery.
The successful drilling of the Gajajeira-01 well, located in Block 1/14, also revealed large volumes of condensates. This milestone is seen as a critical step in implementing Angola’s Gas Master Plan, aimed at reducing oil flaring, boosting domestic power capacity, and positioning the country as a key regional gas exporter.
The project is operated by Azule Energy — a joint venture between BP and Eni — which holds a 35% stake. Other stakeholders include Equinor (30%), Sonangol E&P (25%), and Acrep S.A. (10%).
“This is a historic moment,” said Azule CEO Adriano Mongini, calling the success a strong indicator of the Lower Congo Basin’s untapped gas potential.
The announcement adds momentum to Angola’s ambition to diversify its energy mix, with plans to increase gas to 25% of national energy use by 2025. It also complements previous infrastructure projects like Angola LNG, the Sanha Lean Gas pipeline, and the Quiluma–Maboqueiro development.
Angola is now seen as a rising energy hub amid Africa’s broader energy transition, attracting new international investment while expanding domestic industrial capacity.