CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 1, 2025 – At the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference, Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mining Development, Antonio Oburu Ondo, announced the official launch of the Equatorial Guinea Licensing Round 2026, scheduled for April next year.
The licensing round will present 24 exploration blocks, spanning offshore and onshore acreage, marking a critical milestone in the country’s upstream growth strategy.
The announcement was made during a dedicated session on Equatorial Guinea’s New Exploration Drive, which highlighted the government’s commitment to attracting global investment and strengthening energy security.
The licensing round builds on the success of the country’s open-door policy launched in 2023, under which seven production sharing contracts (PSCs) have already been signed, alongside a multi-billion-dollar deal with ConocoPhillips.
Equatorial Guinea Licensing Round 2026: Invitation to Global Investors
“The Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mining Development invites all companies worldwide to participate in the Equatorial Guinea Licensing Round 2026,” said Minister Ondo.
“Our recent achievements demonstrate that Equatorial Guinea is open for business. With ongoing negotiations on Blocks 28 and 29, and a proven track record of discoveries, this new licensing round is an opportunity to partner in unlocking the nation’s vast resources for mutual benefit.”
Investors attending AEW 2025 were given exclusive access to detailed geological datasets, showcasing the exploration potential of Equatorial Guinea’s offshore basins.
Roberto Blanco, CEO of Perceptum, emphasized the country’s proven prospectivity, noting that out of 118 exploration wells drilled historically, 79 confirmed hydrocarbons.
“There is something here for every company portfolio, and the licensing round will provide the platform to unlock that potential,” he said.
Reprocessing Seismic Data to Strengthen Investor Confidence
To maximize the competitiveness of the Equatorial Guinea Licensing Round 2026, the Ministry is working closely with technical partners Perceptum and GeoexMCG to reprocess more than 9,600 km² of seismic data in the Rio Muni Basin.
Additionally, Searcher Seismic is advancing a major acquisition and reprocessing campaign of both 2D and 3D data in underexplored regions.
“With the licensing round scheduled for April 2026, we have begun reprocessing regional seismic data sets, including EGW 98 and EGW05, which will be made available to investors,” explained Neil Hodgson, Vice President: Geoscience at Searcher.
“This will allow companies to gain a stronger regional understanding of the petroleum systems and help de-risk their investments.”
Oscar Berniko, Director General of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, highlighted that Equatorial Guinea’s existing gas infrastructure, including long-standing processing facilities, will provide offtake security and export capabilities.
“Our infrastructure is a strong advantage for incoming investors and ensures that exploration success can quickly be monetized,” he noted.
Fiscal Incentives and Mining Sector Reforms
In addition to exploration opportunities, Equatorial Guinea is working to create a competitive and investor-friendly regulatory environment.
Jay Park, Director at Park Energy Law, pointed out, “Recent reforms include a 10% reduction in corporate income tax, which significantly improves the investment climate.”
The government is also extending reforms to the mining sector to diversify its economy. Deputy Minister of Hydrocarbons Domingo Mba Esono confirmed:
“We are reforming the mining law to make it more competitive, offering tax incentives, stable fiscal terms, and clear royalties. Mining, alongside hydrocarbons, will be a cornerstone of our diversification agenda.”
A Future-Oriented Licensing Round
Industry leaders agree that the Equatorial Guinea Licensing Round 2026 represents an essential opportunity to expand Africa’s exploration frontier.
By combining attractive fiscal policies, world-class geological potential, and established midstream infrastructure, the country is positioning itself as one of the continent’s most competitive energy markets.
Teresa Nnang, CEO of BlackStone, reinforced the role of strategic partnerships in advancing opportunities.
“The opportunities are vast, but we must ensure we create the right channels for investors to access them. Consultancies and advisory firms are crucial to this process,” she said.
With Africa seeking to balance energy development, investment inflows, and sustainable growth, Equatorial Guinea’s upcoming licensing round is expected to attract strong participation from international oil companies, independents, and regional players alike.
“The Equatorial Guinea Licensing Round 2026 is more than an auction of blocks – it is a strategic platform to drive upstream growth, attract long-term investment, and reinforce our position as a regional hub for energy development,” Minister Ondo concluded.
—
SOURCE: African Energy Chamber
