Since the outbreak of the Iran war on 28 February 2026, African oil and gas producers have gained significant ground as global markets scramble for alternatives to disrupted Middle Eastern supplies. With the Strait of Hormuz largely impassable, several African nations are seeing immediate revenue gains, increased output, and enhanced strategic importance
Nigeria: The primary beneficiary, seeing both higher prices and increased output.
Increased March 2026 production while Gulf rivals faced export bottlenecks.
Its Dangote Refinery (650,000 bpd capacity) has ramped up to meet regional demand, exporting 17 gasoline cargoes to West African markets since the war began.
Mozambique: Positioned as a critical LNG alternative via the Coral South FLNG project.
Benefiting from strong contracting power as buyers move away from disrupted Qatari and Gulf LNG supplies.
Angola: Capturing massive price upside from Brent crude surging above $110-$120 per barrel.
A new offshore gas project launched in March 2026 by Eni is expected to further boost LNG exports this year.
Tanzania: Gaining strategic momentum as a “next-wave” supplier.
Higher global prices and the need for diversification are accelerating interest in its $42 billion LNG project, expected to finalize agreements in 2026.
West and North African barrels (from Libya, Algeria, and Gabon) are now viewed as lower-risk alternatives due to being insulated from the Middle East conflict.
Countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana have reached out to Nigeria for fuel deals to bypass disrupted global supply chains.
The crisis is accelerating long-term projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline to carry Nigerian gas to Europe.
Note by. Alessandro Bazzoni