10 Biggest oil companies in Africa

The African continent is home to some of the world’s largest oil-producing countries and is an important player in the global oil and gas industry. 

The oil and gas sector is a major contributor to the economies of many African countries and is a source of employment, investment, and revenue. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 biggest oil companies in Africa, including Sonatrach, Exxon Mobil, TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron, NNPC, ENI, CNOOC, Gazprom, and Royal Dutch Shell.

Africa’s biggest oil companies

1. Sonatrach

Sonatrach is the largest oil company in Africa and the state-owned oil and gas company of Algeria. It was established in 1963 and has since become a major player in the global energy market. Sonatrach is involved in the exploration, production, transportation, and marketing of hydrocarbons, including crude oil and natural gas.

The company operates a network of pipelines and refineries throughout Algeria and has partnerships and joint ventures with international oil companies in countries such as Spain, Italy, and Norway. In recent years, Sonatrach has also expanded its operations in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market and has become one of the largest exporters of LNG in the world.

2. Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil is an American multinational oil and gas corporation with operations in over 50 countries. In Africa, the company has a significant presence in countries such as Angola and Nigeria. Exxon Mobil has been operating in Angola since the 1990s and is a major player in the country’s oil and gas industry.

The company has several offshore and onshore oil and gas production projects, including partnerships with state-owned Sonangol and other international oil companies. In Nigeria, Exxon Mobil operates several oil and gas production projects and is also involved in the exploration and production of deepwater reserves. The company has been operating in Nigeria for over a century and is one of the largest foreign investors in the country’s energy sector.

3. TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies, formerly known as Total S.A., is a French multinational oil and gas company with operations in over 130 countries. In Africa, TotalEnergies has a significant presence in countries such as Angola, the Republic of Congo, and Gabon.

The company is involved in the exploration, production, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. TotalEnergies has several offshore and onshore oil and gas production projects in Africa, including partnerships with state-owned companies and other international oil companies. In recent years, the company has also expanded its operations in the renewable energy sector and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and becoming a low-carbon energy company.

4. Shell

Royal Dutch Shell, commonly known as Shell, is a multinational oil and gas company headquartered in the Netherlands. It is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and has a strong presence in Africa, operating in countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. In Nigeria, Shell is one of the largest foreign investors in the country’s energy sector and operates many offshore and onshore oil and gas production projects.

The company is also involved in the exploration and production of deepwater reserves. In Egypt, Shell has several upstream and downstream oil and gas operations, including the marketing of petroleum products. In South Africa, Shell operates several retail petrol stations and is involved in the marketing of petroleum products.

5. Chevron

Chevron is an American multinational energy corporation with operations in over 180 countries. In Africa, the company operates in countries such as South Africa and Angola. In South Africa, Chevron is involved in the marketing of petroleum products and operates several retail petrol stations. In Angola, Chevron is a major player in the country’s oil and gas industry and operates many offshore and onshore oil and gas production projects.

The company has several partnerships and joint ventures with state-owned Sonangol and other international oil companies. Chevron is committed to responsible and sustainable operations in Africa and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and support local communities.

6. NNPC

The Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNPC) is the state-owned oil company of Nigeria that has been restructured to NNPC Limited with the government maintaining control. It is responsible for the exploration, production, and distribution of oil and gas in the country. NNPC is one of the largest oil companies in Africa and is involved in many upstream and downstream oil and gas operations. The company operates several oil and gas production projects, including offshore and onshore fields, and is also involved in the refining and marketing of petroleum products.

NNPC is committed to responsible and sustainable operations and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and support local communities. In recent years, the company has also been involved in the development of alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy, to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil and gas.

7. ENI

ENI is an Italian multinational oil and gas company with operations in over 80 countries. In Africa, the company operates in countries such as Algeria, Angola, Egypt, and Mozambique. ENI has a strong presence in the upstream oil and gas sector and is involved in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas.

The company has several offshore and onshore oil and gas production projects in Africa, including partnerships with state-owned companies and other international oil companies. ENI is also involved in the refining and marketing of petroleum products and has several retail petrol stations in Africa. In recent years, ENI has expanded its operations in the renewable energy sector and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and becoming a low-carbon energy company.

8. CNOOC

CNOOC is a Chinese state-owned oil and gas company with operations in over 30 countries. In Africa, the company operates in countries such as Nigeria, Angola, and South Africa. CNOOC is involved in the exploration and production of offshore and onshore oil and gas reserves in Africa.

The company has several partnerships and joint ventures with state-owned companies and other international oil companies. In recent years, CNOOC has expanded its operations in Africa and is committed to responsible and sustainable operations in the continent.

9. Gazprom

Gazprom is a Russian state-owned natural gas company with operations in over 30 countries. In Africa, the company operates in countries such as Algeria and Egypt. Gazprom is involved in the exploration, production, and marketing of natural gas in Africa.

The company has several partnerships and joint ventures with state-owned companies and other international oil and gas companies in Africa. Gazprom is committed to responsible and sustainable operations in Africa and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and support local communities.

10. Royal Dutch Shell

Royal Dutch Shell, commonly known as Shell, is a multinational oil and gas company headquartered in the Netherlands. It is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and has a strong presence in Africa, operating in countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. In Nigeria, Shell is one of the largest foreign investors in the country’s energy sector and operates several offshore and onshore oil and gas production projects.

The company is also involved in the exploration and production of deepwater reserves. In Egypt, Shell has several upstream and downstream oil and gas operations, including the marketing of petroleum products. In South Africa, Shell operates several retail petrol stations and is involved in the marketing of petroleum products.

Conclusion

These 10 oil companies are some of the largest and most influential players in the African oil and gas industry. They operate across the continent and are involved in various activities, including exploration and production, refining and marketing, and the development of renewable energy sources. The oil and gas sector continues to play a vital role in the development of Africa and these companies will continue to shape the future of the industry.