Covid-19 puts African energy on pause
Discoveries have been almost non-existent since the pandemic, and investments in the power sector have stalled despite urgent need
When Covid-19 became a pandemic in February, Petroleum Economist feared it would impact the oil and gas industry disproportionally hard in sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, this prediction has come to pass. Global discovery volumes have understandably been weak so far this year. Discoveries of conventional resources were the lowest of any H1 of the 21st century, at just 4.9bn bl boe, according to data and analytics company Rystad Energy, with average monthly discoveries down 34pc. But Africa accounted for less than 1pc of these volumes, while Russia, South America and the Middle East accounted for a combined 73pc. The Covid-19 lockdown, travel restrictions and associated logistical issues w
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
