Angola to Launch Final Licensing Round by Q4 2025, Targets 1 Million bpd in 2026
Speaking at a ministerial session during AOG 2025, the Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, announced that Angola’s next licensing round will be launched by the last quarter of this year, offering blocks in the Kwanza and Benguela basins.
The upcoming licensing round represents the final tender under the country’s multi-year licensing strategy—launched in 2019 with the goal of awarding 50 concessions. Offering blocks in proven hydrocarbon basins, the round is expected to stimulate exploration as the country strives to counter production decline.
“We are targeting to reach one million barrels per day as early as next year. Although we have many activities and developments underway, we are a country with mature wells. Our solution is to seek new deposits. Both onshore and offshore, we have seen growth in exploration in new blocks. The multi-year strategy ends this year, with one more round planned. The 2025 round will be launched by the last quarter of the year,” stated the Minister.
The round aligns with the Government’s strategy to attract investment in both active and emerging basins. This approach is complemented by the permanent offer regime and legislation for the development of marginal fields, which provide specific terms for smaller-scale or undeveloped assets.
According to the Minister, “we have legislation for marginal fields. Another program that is moving forward is for the interior basins. We continue with a flexible strategy, where investors can take advantage of blocks.”
These reforms have not only attracted new investment but have also stimulated reinvestment from operators already present in the market. “When we decided to create legislative changes, we invited the private sector to participate. This demonstrates our spirit of cooperation, to create mechanisms for mutual benefit. The reform process is not over; we continue to work on improving legislation, implementation, and regulation,” he added.
Beyond international partnerships, Angola seeks to strengthen local participation in the sector. Minister Diamantino Azevedo highlighted the role of national companies, emphasizing the need to place Angolan entrepreneurs at the forefront of the sector’s growth.
“We want to see more Angolans participating in the industry. We also want national companies to be more active in economic growth. We intend to approve legislation that supports this goal.”
