By: African energy chamber

The Republic of Congo has commenced operations for the second phase of the Congo LNG project, with operator Eni announcing the arrival of the Nguya floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit and the introduction of gas into the offshore system. The milestone advances the project toward its goal of reaching 3 million tons per annum of LNG production and is framed as a significant development in Africa's evolving role in the global gas sector.

The project has been completed six months ahead of schedule, with exports expected to begin in early 2026. Its development has been characterized by rapid execution and a model emphasizing local content and in-country project execution, which proponents argue accelerates local capability building and economic uplift. The project is presented as a blueprint for how African nations, through collaboration with aligned partners, can deploy advanced gas infrastructure to support domestic industrialization and energy security while contributing to global supply.

The broader significance articulated is that Congo LNG demonstrates Africa's maturity and strategic capacity in the energy sector, reinforcing the view that the continent's natural gas is a vital development catalyst and a global asset when developed responsibly.