The Republic of Congo is gearing up to showcase its energy potential and investment opportunities at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025, scheduled to take place in Brazzaville from March 24-26, 2025. Under the leadership of Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons, the event aims to position the country as a major player in regional energy development while attracting international investors and fostering partnerships.
Organized under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), CEIF 2025 will serve as a critical platform for connecting project developers with Congolese regulators and policymakers. The forum will facilitate candid dialogue, explore investment opportunities, and advance deals in the country’s energy sector.
Minister Itoua, who has been instrumental in driving Congo’s energy reforms, emphasized the importance of the event in achieving the country’s long-term energy goals. “We hope that through the conference, we will be able to launch a tender,” he stated. “We have many licenses available, and we will make them available for tender. We have very large areas in which we have information proving that we have high potential.”
The Ministry of Hydrocarbons will launch its 2025 licensing round during the forum, offering onshore, offshore, and marginal acreage to potential investors. This initiative aligns with Congo’s strategy to increase oil production from the current 274,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 500,000 bpd by the end of 2025.
The Ministry will also unveil its Gas Master Plan, aimed at consolidating the position of existing exploration and production companies while attracting new investments to the natural gas sector. Minister Itoua highlighted Congo’s ambition to become a key player in gas production and refining, not only for Africa but also on an international level.
Among the recent achievements to be showcased is the Marine XII LNG development, which exported its first cargo in early 2024 from the Tango FLNG facility. The project is projected to reach 3 million tons of LNG per year in 2025, marking a significant milestone in Congo’s energy sector.
Key players such as Trident Energy and Perenco have expanded their presence in Congo, acquiring major assets and driving upstream development. These efforts are in line with the Ministry’s goal of creating an investment-friendly environment.
CEIF 2025 will provide a platform for policymakers, international oil companies, independent explorers, and financiers to discuss strategies for maximizing Congo’s hydrocarbon potential, expanding LNG production, and advancing green energy solutions. The forum will also highlight the country’s recent developments, including ongoing gas-to-power projects and infrastructure expansions.
Minister Itoua’s leadership has been pivotal in driving these initiatives, and his participation at CEIF 2025 will set the tone for discussions on Congo’s energy future. “We want to become a key player in terms of finding opportunities. Congo could be the biggest place for refining, not only for Africa, but also on an international level,” he added.
The forum is expected to attract a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and investors, all focused on unlocking Congo’s energy potential. By fostering partnerships and showcasing investment opportunities, CEIF 2025 aims to position the Republic of Congo as a hub for energy innovation and development in Africa.
As the countdown to CEIF 2025 begins, the world will be watching to see how Congo leverages its vast energy resources to drive economic growth, regional integration, and sustainable development. With Minister Itoua at the helm, the country is poised to make significant strides in achieving its energy ambitions.