Angola has intensified its ambitious licensing drive aimed at attracting global energy investment, with officials confirming that the country is on track to award up to 60 concessions by the end of 2025.
The announcement, made during African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 in Cape Town, underscores Angola’s long-term vision to sustain oil and gas production while diversifying its energy mix.
Alcides Andrade, Executive Administrator at the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG), said the country has already achieved a milestone of awarding 50 concessions through a blend of annual licensing rounds and a direct negotiation program.
“Since 2024, we have awarded more than 20 blocks. This has amounted to more than 50 blocks. We see the potential to award up to 60 concessions by the end of this year. This has been a result of licensing rounds and direct negotiation,” Andrade explained.
The licensing drive reflects a multi-year effort launched in 2019, part of a six-year strategy designed to reenergize the upstream sector. By introducing investor-friendly reforms, Angola is now positioning itself as one of Africa’s most attractive energy frontiers.
Analysts project that more than $70 billion in capital expenditure will flow into Angola’s oil and gas industry over the next five years, reinforcing the importance of the ongoing campaign.
A Landmark Moment in Angola’s Energy Strategy
Industry observers say Angola’s licensing drive represents a landmark moment for the country’s hydrocarbon sector. With global investors searching for stable upstream opportunities, Angola has taken deliberate steps to improve transparency, streamline licensing procedures, and encourage exploration across onshore and offshore basins.
Speaking in Cape Town, Andrade highlighted the tangible results of this policy: “We have acted to bring additional reforms to incentivize investment in exploration. We are working with the investment community to progress exploration onshore.
There are a few operators who have either drilled wells or are working towards drilling next year. Over the next five years, Angola is expecting to see up to $70 billion invested in the country.”
This statement reflects both optimism and confidence in Angola’s direction. By exceeding the 50-concession milestone and setting sights on 60, the government is not only signaling progress but also pushing for momentum that could anchor production above one million barrels per day.
Oil Production Sustained with New Projects
Despite fluctuations in global oil prices, Angola has kept its production trajectory stable, thanks in part to recent project milestones. Andrade announced that major developments such as Agogo, Begonia, and CLOV Phase 3 all began production in 2025.
These projects are expected to support Angola’s goal of sustaining output above the symbolic one-million-barrels-per-day threshold, ensuring that revenue from hydrocarbons continues to fuel economic stability.
The licensing drive has also attracted international operators eager to invest in Angola’s offshore resources. By accelerating contract awards and reducing administrative bottlenecks, ANPG has sent a clear signal to the global market that Angola is open for business.
A New Chapter for Angola’s Gas Sector
Beyond oil, the licensing drive has unlocked new momentum for natural gas. ANPG is advancing its Gas Master Plan, which aims to transform Angola into a regional gas hub. A central component of this plan is the New Gas Consortium, which is preparing to deliver the country’s first non-associated gas project — Quiluma and Maboqueiro — by late 2025.
Andrade emphasized the significance of this project, stating: “We have seen a lot of progress on our first non-associated gas project, set to deliver first gas at the end of the year.
We believe that we have more than 38 trillion cubic feet of gas potential in the country. We have a lot of studies ongoing to evaluate that potential. We are also delivering on associated gas. There is a lot of potential in currently producing oil blocks, so we are looking at how we can incentivize operators to monetize that gas.”
The new discovery at Block 1/14 further highlights the untapped potential of Angola’s offshore gas resources. Analysts believe that expanding gas exploration under the licensing drive will give the country greater energy security and diversify its export portfolio beyond crude oil.
Creating Investor Confidence
The reforms embedded in the licensing drive go beyond contract awards. Angola has modernized its fiscal policies, reducing barriers for international oil companies while ensuring local content requirements are balanced with global competitiveness. This has boosted investor confidence and reaffirmed Angola’s place as a strategic player in Africa’s upstream sector.
Industry consultant Paulo Mendes noted, “Angola’s reforms have created an environment where global investors feel confident. The licensing rounds are not just symbolic—they show that the government is serious about attracting capital and ensuring long-term stability in the energy market.”
This confidence has already translated into heightened interest from supermajors and independent companies alike, all keen to secure acreage under Angola’s expanding portfolio.
Regional Leadership Through Licensing
The success of the licensing drive is also positioning Angola as a leader within Africa’s oil and gas industry. With neighboring countries such as Namibia, Mozambique, and Nigeria also launching aggressive energy strategies, Angola has differentiated itself by delivering results. While others are in the exploration stage, Angola is securing agreements, commencing production, and unlocking both oil and gas projects simultaneously.
By aligning its upstream ambitions with broader energy reforms, Angola has placed itself firmly on the map of global investors. The licensing drive serves not only as a mechanism for concession awards but also as a diplomatic tool, attracting international attention and partnerships at high-profile forums like African Energy Week.
As 2025 enters its final quarter, Angola’s determination to reach the 60-concession target symbolizes both continuity and ambition. The country’s licensing drive has already exceeded expectations by awarding more than 50 concessions since 2019, and momentum suggests that the year-end milestone is within reach.
The coming months will be decisive. Operators awarded blocks will need to accelerate exploration commitments, ensure environmental compliance, and prepare for production that will define Angola’s energy future. The ANPG, meanwhile, will need to maintain its pace of reforms, strengthen institutional transparency, and continue its close engagement with the investment community.
Yet, optimism remains high. Angola’s hydrocarbon sector, once challenged by declining production, now appears revitalized by a clear strategy, strong leadership, and a licensing model that balances national interests with international cooperation.
The licensing drive represents more than just numbers. It embodies Angola’s broader vision for energy independence, diversification, and sustainable development. By awarding up to 60 concessions, Angola is sending a powerful message to investors and citizens alike: the country is ready to secure its future through innovation, exploration, and reform.
As Andrade concluded in his remarks, “Our profession is not only to regulate, but also to create opportunities. Angola’s licensing program has shown that with determination and partnership, we can deliver results. We are prepared to move forward with confidence.”
That confidence, anchored in the licensing drive, now defines Angola’s trajectory toward becoming a continental energy powerhouse.
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