QatarEnergy, the world’s second-largest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), is pushing deeper into Africa in search of growth as conflict in the Middle East chokes its exports. In September, the Qatari state group took a stake in Blocks 8 and 22 off Angola alongside Shell (50%) and Sonangol (20%). That followed deals in Algeria, Congo-Brazzaville, Egypt, Namibia, Libya and Mozambique.

Nearly half of QatarEnergy’s recent moves abroad have been in Africa, where it and its partners have also announced a series of discoveries in Namibia‘s Orange basin. Though relatively low-profile, the group is taking stakes in both mature markets and high-potential areas.

Iranian attacks on strategic energy infrastructure and the blocking of the Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb straits have sent QatarEnergy’s LNG production and exports tumbling. It has extended force majeure on deliveries to Europe and Asia until November.

High-impact, high-potential operations

“Africa is one of the new frontiers for oil and gas expansion,” says Francesco Sassi, a researcher in energy geopolitics and markets. Relatively sheltered from the fallout of the wars in Ukraine and the Gulf, the continent is an ideal place to diversify, he added.

For Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar’s powerful energy minister and QatarEnergy’s chief executive, the push fits the group’s strategy of expanding its international portfolio through high-impact, high-potential operations. QatarEnergy did not respond to a request for comment.

Partnering with Western majors

Unlike Saudi’s Aramco and Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC, QatarEnergy has made Africa one of its growth markets abroad. Rather than operate alone, it takes stakes alongside Western majors:

• TotalEnergies in Congo, Namibia and Algeria
• Shell in Angola and Egypt
• Eni in Egypt, Libya and Mozambique

Acting as lead operator would expose it to financial and operational risk outside its traditional strongholds. Although the group can afford its ambitions – net profit rose 4% to $27bn in 2025 – its management appears to be moving cautiously.

“In a market saturated with established majors, QatarEnergy’s presence amounts to a watching brief,” says Philippe Sébille-Lopez, managing director of consultancy Géopolia. “Taking minority stakes lets them secure a potential return on investment while limiting their exposure if the results disappoint.”