The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, met in Brazzaville with the Chief Executive Officer of the Italian group Eni, Claudio Descalzi, to review the ongoing energy projects in the country. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, as well as the Director General of the Société nationale des pétroles du Congo (SNPC), Maixent Raoul Ominga, according to an Eni press release issued on July 15.
Rapid expansion of the Congo LNG project
During this meeting, Claudio Descalzi presented the progress of the Congo LNG project, developed based on national gas resources and using floating liquefaction infrastructures. Since the commissioning of the first phase, the country now exports 1 billion m³ of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year. Eni is planning to launch phase 2 of the project in the fourth quarter of 2025, which will increase export capacity to 4.5 billion m³ annually, allowing the Republic of Congo to strengthen its position among African LNG exporters.
The Congo LNG project is part of Eni Group’s major operations on the continent, focusing on the exploitation of national resources while developing value chains around natural gas and related infrastructure. According to official data, Eni remains the only foreign operator of all Congolese gas resources, with a direct supply to the Congo Electric Power Station (CEC), which produces 70% of the country’s electricity.
Industrial deployment and infrastructure modernisation
Claudio Descalzi also detailed the progress of the vegetable oil production programme for biorefining, with the ramp-up of the first agri-hub with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year. The initiative is accompanied by increased mechanisation of the agricultural sector, facilitating the industrial structuring of the sector. Production, certified according to the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED), aims at traceability and the improvement of production standards.
On the infrastructure side, Eni has launched rehabilitation works on the 220 kV high-voltage electricity distribution line linking Pointe Noire to Brazzaville, as well as nine associated substations. This reinforcement of the network will ensure the stability of supply between the political capital and the main economic centre of the country.
Social initiatives and support for local development
In parallel with industrial projects, Eni reported the distribution of more than 60,000 improved cookstoves in Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville since 2024, giving 300,000 people access to more efficient cooking equipment. The group is also pursuing actions as part of the Hinda Integrated Project, which involves 25,000 beneficiaries in the fields of education, access to water and energy, economic diversification, and health in rural areas.
Finally, the strengthening of the fishing value chain in Pointe Noire, as well as support for higher education and vocational training, have been highlighted as priorities to support the growth of strategic sectors. “The consolidation of these activities is part of the priorities of the National Development Plan,” Eni said in its statement, while recalling its long-standing commitment in the country.
