Keypoints:
- Europe seeks African LNG as Middle East tensions threaten shipping routes
- Nigeria, Senegal, Congo and Equatorial Guinea expand export capacity
- Paris energy forum aims to secure long-term European gas supply deals
EUROPEAN gas buyers are increasingly turning to African liquefied natural gas (LNG) as geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions reshape the continent’s energy security strategy.
With Russian pipeline flows sharply reduced since the Ukraine war and rising tensions in the Middle East threatening shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, European utilities and traders are urgently seeking stable alternative suppliers. African producers — including Nigeria, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo — are emerging as key partners in Europe’s effort to secure reliable LNG supplies.
The growing strategic importance of African energy resources has already begun to reshape global investment patterns. Africa Briefing previously reported on rising gas demand in Africa’s energy transition, natural gas is increasingly viewed as a critical bridge fuel for both African development and international energy markets.
Energy ministers from those countries are expected to meet investors and European buyers next month in Paris at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum, where discussions will centre on expanding LNG exports and securing long-term supply agreements with European utilities. Previous editions of the forum have highlighted the continent’s growing role in global gas markets, as reflected in Africa Briefing’s analysis of Africa’s expanding LNG sector.
Europe seeks safer gas supply routes
Since the sharp decline in Russian pipeline deliveries following the Ukraine war, European governments have prioritised diversification of gas supply.
The European Union has dramatically increased LNG imports to stabilise energy markets, signing contracts with exporters in the United States, Qatar and other suppliers. But continuing geopolitical instability — including rising tensions in the Middle East and risks to shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz — has intensified concerns about long-term supply security.
The strait handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s energy shipments, making it one of the most strategically sensitive maritime chokepoints in global energy trade.
Energy analysts increasingly point to Atlantic Basin producers as attractive partners because cargoes can reach European terminals faster and avoid many of the geopolitical chokepoints affecting other LNG supply routes.
This shift has steadily elevated Africa’s role in Europe’s evolving gas procurement strategy.
Nigeria anchors Africa’s LNG exports
Nigeria continues to serve as the backbone of Africa’s LNG industry.
The Nigeria LNG facility on Bonny Island has long supplied European markets through a mix of long-term contracts and spot shipments. As Russian gas volumes declined, Nigerian cargoes became increasingly important for southern European import terminals.
Portugal now sources more than half of its LNG imports from Nigeria, while Spain remains one of the largest European destinations for Nigerian cargoes.
Nigeria’s export capacity is also expected to grow with the expansion of the Nigeria LNG Train 7 project, which aims to significantly increase production later this decade.
Africa Briefing previously reported that Nigeria has been positioning itself to expand LNG shipments to Europe as demand for diversified supply grows, including plans to increase LNG exports to European markets.
If completed on schedule, the Train 7 expansion could add several million tons per year of export capacity, strengthening Nigeria’s position as a long-term LNG supplier for European buyers.
New African exporters enter global LNG markets
Beyond Nigeria, several African producers are rapidly expanding LNG production.
Equatorial Guinea exports LNG through its Punta Europa facility on Bioko Island, with shipments regularly reaching European and Atlantic Basin markets. Upstream developments are expected to reinforce gas supply for both domestic use and export.
The Republic of Congo is also accelerating its LNG ambitions through the Congo LNG project, led by Italian energy company Eni. The project’s second phase, based on floating LNG technology, is expected to lift export capacity to roughly three million tons per year.
Floating LNG systems offer advantages including faster deployment, modular expansion and lower upfront capital requirements, allowing producers such as Congo to enter the global LNG market more quickly.
Senegal has also joined the ranks of LNG exporters with the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project developed jointly with neighbouring Mauritania.
The project delivered its first gas in 2025, marking a major milestone for West Africa’s emerging gas sector.
Major international energy companies are also expanding investment across the continent’s gas sector. As Africa Briefing reported on TotalEnergies’ expanding gas investments in Africa, global demand for diversified LNG supply is driving new upstream and export projects across the continent.
Atlantic routes offer strategic advantage
Geography is increasingly shaping Europe’s LNG procurement strategy.
Cargoes from West African exporters such as Nigeria, Senegal and Equatorial Guinea typically travel across the Atlantic directly to regasification terminals in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy.
By contrast, LNG shipments from Gulf suppliers must pass through the Strait of Hormuz and often transit the Suez Canal before reaching European markets.
These longer routes are more exposed to geopolitical disruptions, including regional conflict and maritime security threats. As tensions rise in the Middle East, shipping risks and insurance costs have become increasingly important factors in LNG procurement decisions.
Shorter Atlantic shipping routes from West Africa can reduce freight costs, shorten delivery times and minimise exposure to geopolitical chokepoints, making African LNG increasingly attractive for European utilities seeking stable supply.
Europe backs African gas development
European governments and energy companies are also strengthening partnerships with African gas producers as part of broader efforts to secure long-term energy supplies.
Companies such as Italy’s Eni, France’s TotalEnergies and Britain’s BP have expanded investments in LNG and upstream gas projects across West and Central Africa.
These investments reflect Europe’s broader strategy of diversifying supply sources as the continent gradually reduces reliance on Russian energy imports.
Paris forum targets new supply partnerships
The upcoming Paris meeting is expected to bring together African energy ministers, European buyers and international investors seeking to deepen cooperation in the LNG sector.
Participants are expected to discuss new upstream gas investments, export infrastructure and long-term offtake agreements that could anchor African LNG more firmly within Europe’s energy supply mix.
Industry observers say these partnerships could unlock billions of dollars in gas investment across Africa while strengthening Europe’s energy resilience.
Africa’s growing role in Europe’s energy security
African producers are unlikely to replace Russian or Middle Eastern gas supplies entirely.
However, with new projects coming online and export capacity steadily expanding, the continent is poised to play a growing role in Europe’s diversified LNG supply strategy.
As global energy trade adapts to shifting geopolitical realities, African LNG is increasingly emerging as a key pillar in Europe’s long-term energy security architecture.
