Republic of Congo, Kazakhstan Forge Stronger Ties in Oil & Gas, Mining
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With GDP growth projected at 3.4% annually in 2025-2026, the Republic of Congo aims to monetize natural gas and revitalize oil production, targeting 500,000 barrels per day by 2025. Kazakhstan, an unexpected but valuable partner in this goal, offers expertise in hydrocarbon development. The country, which relies heavily on oil and gas revenues – accounting for 35% of its GDP and 75% of its exports – could play a pivotal role in boosting Congo’s energy output and attracting investment. Following a visit by Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso to Astana last August, several bilateral agreements were signed, covering oil and gas, mining, power, finance and digitalization, marking an important step in advancing Congo’s economic objectives and fostering newfound cooperation between the two countries.
Oil & Gas Collaboration
Kazakhstan, the second-largest oil producer in Eurasia with a daily output of 1.77 million barrels in 2024, has already initiated cooperation with Congo. In September 2024, KazMunayGas and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), the respective national oil companies of Kazakhstan and Congo, held their first working meeting, focusing on geological exploration, field development and feasibility studies. Discussions included industrial networking, supplier qualification and strategies to attract international investment in petrochemical projects.
Additional opportunities for collaboration between Congo and Kazakhstan lie in gas processing and the revitalization of mature oil fields. Kazakhstan is actively investing in boosting its gas production and processing capacity. At Kashagan, two gas processing plants are under development, with capacities of 1 billion m³ and 2.5 billion m³ annually, expected to add 3 million tons to the country’s annual oil output. Similarly, the Karachaganak field is expanding with a gas processing facility designed to handle 4 billion m³ by 2028, ensuring sustained production levels. For Congo, where monetizing natural gas is a key growth priority, Kazakhstan’s advancements provide a compelling model for maximizing gas resource potential.
Furthermore, with 30% of its oil production derived from mature fields, Kazakhstan has implemented measures, including tax incentives tied to reinvestment in advanced technologies, aiming for an additional 40 million tons of production by 2045. This strategy aligns with Congo’s efforts to revitalize its mature assets, as several fully amortized fields, whose licenses are nearing expiration, will automatically revert to ownership by SNPC.
Expanding Congo’s Mining Sector
In addition to hydrocarbons, Congo and Kazakhstan are poised to strengthen their partnership in the mining sector. Congo is rich in mineral resources, including 800 million tons of magnesium salt, 690 million tons of iron oxide at Avima, 242.5 million tons of potash at Kouilou, and significant reserves of lead, zinc, gold and diamonds, though its mining industry remains underdeveloped. In August 2024, Congo produced its first iron ore, with mining group Sapro delivering 800 tons from the Mayoko deposit and aiming to reach 150 million tons per year.
Kazakhstan, with the world’s eighth-largest iron ore reserves estimated at 12.5 billion tons, can offer valuable expertise. The country is also a leading producer of minerals such as uranium, chromium and zinc. In 2023, Kazakhstan’s mining sector generated $18.8 billion in export revenues, underlining its significance to the national economy. By sharing best practices and technological expertise, Kazakhstan can assist Congo in developing its mining industry, enhancing production efficiency,and attracting international investment.
By leveraging Kazakhstan’s expertise in oil, gas and mining, the Republic of Congo has the opportunity to make substantial progress in its economic development. These areas of collaboration are expected to be further explored at the upcoming Congo Energy & Investment Forum, taking place in Brazzaville on March 24-26, 2025, providing both nations with a platform to highlight their partnership and attract additional international investment.
For more information about the Congo Energy & Investment Forum and to secure your participation, visit https://congoenergyinvestment.com/.