Angola is set to open its next oil and gas licensing round in the fourth quarter of 2025, offering exploration blocks in the Kwanza and Benguela basins.
Mineral Resources, Petroleum, and Gas Minister Diamantino Azevedo said the move is part of a broader effort to maintain national oil production above one million barrels per day beyond 2026 as Angola confronts declining output from mature wells.
Speaking at the Angola Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Azevedo said the upcoming round marks the conclusion of a strategy launched in 2019 to award 50 concessions across the country.
“We have a goal to achieve one million bpd in the next year. Even though we have a lot of activities and developments in certain areas, we are a country with matured wells in our fields. Our solution is to look for new deposits,” Azevedo said.
The licensing round will offer acreage in proven hydrocarbon zones and is expected to attract fresh investment into Angola’s upstream sector.
It complements the country’s permanent offer regime and marginal field development programme, which aim to unlock value from smaller or underdeveloped assets.
Azevedo noted that Angola’s flexible licensing framework and recent legislative reforms have helped draw both new entrants and reinvestment from existing operators.
In addition to courting international partners, the government is pushing for greater local participation in the oil and gas industry.
The minister underscored the importance of empowering Angolan entrepreneurs and companies to play a leading role in sectoral growth.
“We want to see more Angolans participating in the industry. We also want to see national Angolan companies to be more active in our economic growth. We want to bring legislation that supports this.”
The upcoming licensing round is expected to be a key driver of Angola’s energy future, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s top oil producers while advancing domestic capacity and long-term sustainability.
