Following the success of its inaugural edition in March 2025, the Republic of Congo will host the second Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville from March 10 to 12, 2026.
The forum will convene under the theme “Invest. Build. Empower: Transforming Congo’s Energy Landscape,” capitalizing on significant momentum within the country’s oil, gas, and electricity sectors.
The 2025-2026 period is poised to be a pivotal phase for Congo’s energy future. The second phase of the Congo LNG project, anticipated to commence in December 2025, is expected to enable Eni to triple its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production from 0.6 to 3 million tonnes per year (mtpa). Concurrently, the construction of the Fouta refinery, slated for launch by the end of the year, aims for an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes of petroleum products, including crucial fuels like diesel and gasoline.
In the gas sector, the ambitious 3 mtpa LNG target for 2025 is anchored by Eni’s development of the Marine XII block, encompassing the Congo LNG project. This significant milestone follows Congo’s groundbreaking achievement in February 2024, when it exported its first-ever LNG cargo from the Tango FLNG floating unit. With substantial proven gas reserves exceeding 10 trillion cubic feet, the country also has plans to launch a national gas company, introduce a new gas code, and unveil a comprehensive master plan for the sector’s development throughout the year.
Congo is also pursuing an ambitious oil strategy, aiming to nearly double its oil production from 280,000 to 500,000 barrels per day by 2027, thanks to major projects spearheaded by key industry players such as TotalEnergies, Trident Energy, and Perenco. This production growth will be driven by the development of new oil fields and the optimization of existing, mature deposits.
To attract further investment in its energy sector, Congo will launch an international oil and gas licensing round this year. This initiative seeks to engage both international companies capable of developing deepwater resources and local or independent operators interested in marginal deposits. This strategic move is expected to solidify Congo’s position as the third-largest oil market in sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, at CEIF 2025, Congolese authorities presented a plan to double the country’s electricity generation capacity to 1,500 MW by 2030, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy sources. Congo possesses a significant hydroelectric potential estimated at 27,000 MW, of which only a small fraction (1 percent) is currently utilized. Large-scale projects, incorporating water diversion and storage techniques, have been identified to develop this crucial strategic resource.
CEIF 2026 will feature a comprehensive program including insightful roundtables, technical workshops, and informative presentation sessions. The event is designed to provide a thorough overview of the diverse investment opportunities available within the Congolese energy sector, while simultaneously highlighting the country’s strategic ambitions on both a regional and global scale.
Sandra Jeque, Director of Events and Projects at Energy Capital & Power, emphasized the significance of the upcoming forum, stating, “CEIF 2026 is a key platform to illustrate the dynamics of Congo’s energy transformation. In a context of the rise of hydrocarbons and the transition to renewables, the forum fosters constructive exchanges, attracts capital, and strengthens partnerships essential to the sustainable development of the sector.”
Supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and the National Petroleum Company of Congo, CEIF 2026 will bring together a wide range of key stakeholders, including government representatives, investors, international oil companies (IOCs), national oil companies (NOCs), independent operators, and industry experts. This new edition builds upon the momentum generated by the 2025 forum, which marked a significant step in mobilizing stakeholders around Congo’s energy development and promises to further expand the prospects for cooperation and growth in 2026.
TE/Sf/fss/abj/APA