Algeria’s Sonatrach and Ghana’s GNPC have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen energy security and advance Africa’s oil and gas sector.
Algeria’s state-owned oil company Sonatrach and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) have formalised a strategic partnership to advance research, development and innovation (R&D) in the oil and gas sector. The agreement was signed in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, headquarters of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), in the presence of APPO’s newly appointed Secretary General, Farid Ghezali.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sets out a framework for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and structured initiatives aimed at enhancing hydrocarbon development, supporting energy security, and promoting sustainable growth across Africa.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) welcomed the deal, highlighting the growing importance of African-led R&D collaboration. “This MoU demonstrates that African national oil companies are investing in innovation to secure the continent’s energy future,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of AEC. “Research and technology are critical to producing oil and gas more efficiently and sustainably, while supporting the broader energy transition.”
The partnership will focus on cutting-edge upstream technologies, including high-definition seismic processing, AI-driven subsurface analysis, 4D seismic monitoring, digital wells, enhanced oil recovery, integrity and corrosion management, and oil and gas valorisation. Sustainability is also embedded, covering carbon footprint reduction, hydrogen and green technologies, water and waste treatment, and air pollution mitigation, reflecting a responsible approach to hydrocarbon development.
For Ghana, the MoU comes as the country seeks to revitalise oil production, expand gas utilisation, and accelerate regional energy growth. The nation has 17 oil and gas projects scheduled for development by 2027, including a $2 billion Jubilee field expansion in partnership with Kosmos Energy, GNPC, and Tullow Oil. Gas development projects, including a second processing plant with 150 million standard cubic feet per day capacity, are also underway.
Algeria, one of Africa’s largest oil and gas producers, brings extensive expertise and investment potential. Sonatrach’s five-year hydrocarbon strategy, backed by up to $60 billion in investment, focuses on sustaining exploration and production, modernising downstream infrastructure, and strengthening energy security.
By combining innovation, technology adoption, and sustainability objectives, Sonatrach and GNPC aim to set a benchmark for African-led energy collaboration. APPO’s facilitation of the agreement reinforces its role in unifying national oil companies and advancing the continent’s hydrocarbon sector.
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