Gabon is positioning itself for a renewed wave of upstream investment, as international oil companies return to its offshore sector and exploration activity accelerates ahead of the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris later this month.
The Central African producer is drawing fresh attention following the re-entry of global energy giants such as ExxonMobil and bp, both of which signed memoranda of understanding with the government in October 2025 to assess deepwater and ultra-deepwater acreage. The agreements come as Gabon prepares to launch new offshore licensing rounds in 2026, covering a significant portion of its yet-to-be-explored offshore blocks.
Energy Minister Clotaire Kondja is expected to outline the country’s investment strategy at the Paris forum scheduled for April 22–23, where Gabon will be marketed as a “multi-entry” destination for both frontier exploration and near-term production opportunities.
Exploration Momentum Builds
Recent drilling and seismic activity suggest that Gabon’s sedimentary basins continue to hold commercially viable hydrocarbons. In March 2026, Assala Energy reported a hydrocarbon encounter at the Magoga-A well, identifying pay zones within the Gamba Sandstone formation.
Meanwhile, ReconAfrica is advancing work on the offshore Ngulu block, where it is reprocessing 3D seismic data across a 1,214 square kilometre area that includes the Loba discovery and multiple identified prospects. The company is targeting drill-ready status before the end of the year.
Production Expansion Underway
Beyond exploration, Gabon’s existing operators are scaling up output. VAALCO Energy has launched a multi-phase drilling campaign at the Etame Marin block, with new wells already coming online in early 2026. The programme spans several offshore platforms and is expected to push production toward 20,000–23,000 barrels per day.
The expansion forms part of VAALCO’s longer-term plan to significantly grow output through the end of the decade, underscoring confidence in Gabon’s mature but still productive offshore assets.
Lower Barriers, Higher Interest
For investors, Gabon’s appeal lies in a combination of untapped exploration acreage and existing infrastructure. Established pipelines, platforms and floating production systems reduce development costs, while ongoing discoveries de-risk new ventures.
The government has also stepped up international engagement. A delegation led by Minister Kondja visited Washington in March 2026 to court U.S. investors, signaling a proactive approach to attracting capital into the sector.
The upcoming Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris is expected to serve as a key platform for advancing deals and partnerships ahead of the continent’s flagship energy gathering later in the year.
