West Africa aiming for global supplier status
The region is making headway despite some output disruptions
Despite ongoing conflict throughout West Africa, the region's energy sector continues to make progress toward becoming a leading global oil and gas supplier. According to GlobalData, nearly $194bn will be spent on African oil and gas fields between 2018 and 2025. Nigeria has struggled for years to resist the threat from militant groups. The attacks are impeding the country's efforts to expand exploration outside the Niger River Delta, in the hope of finding new crude reserves. The threat of violence from several militant groups persists. The Niger Delta Avengers has in the past issued reported threats to Total's Egina oil field, which was scheduled for start-up in 2018. The ultra-deep-water

Also in this section
17 July 2025
US downstream sector in key state feels the pain of high costs, an environmental squeeze and the effects of broader market trends
16 July 2025
Crude quality issues are an often understated risk to energy security, highlighted by problems at a key US refinery
15 July 2025
Government consultations on the windfall tax and the exploration licence ban are positive steps, but it is unclear how long it will take for them to yield tangible outcomes
15 July 2025
A brutally honest picture about the potential role of oil and gas in 2050 should prompt policymakers to not only reflect but also change course to meet vital energy needs