TotalEnergies Bets on African Projects, LNG Restart to Drive Production Growth

Paris, April 12, 2026 — French energy giant TotalEnergies is forging ahead with an array of upstream and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects across Africa, cementing the continent’s role as a linchpin in its global production growth strategy through 2026 and beyond, according to World Oil (WO).

Africa accounts for roughly half of TotalEnergies’ operated production and remains the company’s top region for exploration expenditure, with multiple projects now entering execution and development phases, APO Group reported. The company’s focused investment in the continent underscores its long-term commitment to unlocking Africa’s energy potential while aligning with global energy transition goals.

In the Republic of Congo, TotalEnergies allocated $500 million in 2025 to drill additional wells at the Moho Nord field, aiming to boost output by approximately 40,000 barrels per day (bpd). Currently, the Moho Nord field contributes around half of the country’s total oil production, serving as a vital economic pillar for the nation.

East Africa has emerged as a key growth hub, with Uganda’s Tilenga oil project advancing steadily toward its first oil production. The project is supported by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a 1,445-kilometer pipeline that will transport crude from Uganda to Tanzania’s port of Tanga — set to become the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline, according to People’s Daily. EACOP, co-owned by TotalEnergies, CNOOC, and local energy firms, is pivotal to unlocking Uganda’s estimated 10 billion barrels of recoverable oil equivalent, noted Bloomberg.

In Mozambique, TotalEnergies is pushing to restart its $20-billion LNG project, which boasts a planned annual capacity of 13 million metric tons (MMtpa). The project, a cornerstone for monetizing the country’s abundant gas reserves, was previously suspended due to local security challenges but is now on track for a 2026 restart, according to CCTV News. Rystad Energy analysts estimate the project, alongside ExxonMobil’s nearby Rovuma LNG project, could add 28 million tons of LNG capacity annually once fully operational.

Frontier exploration efforts are also gaining momentum. In Namibia, TotalEnergies aims to reach a final investment decision on the Venus discovery in the Orange basin by late 2026. In South Africa, the company is preparing to drill Block 3B/4B pending final approvals, marking a strategic shift from coal to oil and gas exploration in the country, as reported by China Energy News.

Across its African portfolio, TotalEnergies prioritizes gas monetization and emissions reduction, including zero routine flaring in several operations and ongoing investments in gas-fired power projects. Kaushal Ramesh, LNG analyst at Rystad Energy, commented, “TotalEnergies’ African projects not only drive its own growth but also hold the potential to reshape global LNG supply dynamics.”

The company emphasized that the combination of near-term project developments and long-cycle exploration positions Africa as a central component of its global growth strategy, promising mutual benefits for both the company and the African nations hosting its operations.