The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, met with Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi in Brazzaville. The meeting included the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean Richard Itoua; the General Director of SNPC, Maixent Raoul Ominga; and Eni’s COO of Natural Resources, Guido Brusco.
Descalzi provided an update on the Congo LNG project, which began exporting liquefied gas in February, just 12 months after authorization. This milestone has positioned Congo among LNG-exporting countries, contributing to the global energy market. The project’s second phase, commencing at the end of 2025, will increase gas exports from Congo to 4.5 billion cubic meters per year.
The discussions also covered agri-feedstock production projects for biorefining in Congo, following the launch of the first Agri-Hub. Additional energy transition initiatives were highlighted, such as the distribution of improved cookstoves, which reduce forest impact and generate carbon credits. This cookstove initiative has already started in Pointe Noire and Brazzaville and will expand to other provinces throughout 2024.
Descalzi and President Sassou Nguesso also reviewed recent sustainability initiatives. These include phase 3 of the Hinda Integrated Project, which provides access to water, medical care, and education to around 25,000 beneficiaries; support for high schools to improve technical and professional training; and the Fishermen Project, aimed at enhancing the fishery product value chain through a modern artisanal fishing complex.
Eni, present in Congo for over 50 years, remains the sole company developing the country’s significant gas resources and supplies gas to the Central Electricity of Congo (CEC), which generates 70% of the nation’s electricity.
