News

In a significant development underscoring Africa’s frontier potential, ReconAfrica has signed a joint exploration agreement with Angola’s National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) for an upstream project spanning the Damara Fold Belt and Rift Basin plays in the onshore Etosha-Okavango Basin. The agreement marks a key step in advancing geological knowledge and accelerating exploration in one of the continent’s most underexplored basins. As Africa’s oil and gas landscape evolves, the partnership highlights rising investor interest in frontier regions and the role of collaboration in unlocking new reserves. 

ReconAfrica’s expansion into Angola marks a strategic milestone for both the company and Africa’s energy landscape. Building on its pioneering exploration efforts in Namibia’s Kavango Basin, the move diversifies ReconAfrica’s portfolio and strengthens international interest in the continent’s untapped hydrocarbon potential. The newly acquired 5.2 million-acre concession targets Angola’s Damara Fold Belt and Rift Basin – areas considered highly prospective for oil and gas – and complements the 6.3 million acres the company already holds in Namibia.

Under the 24-month agreement, ReconAfrica will conduct geological studies, analyze regional oil and gas seeps, plan a 2D seismic program and carry out detailed geochemical sampling. In parallel, the company is preparing to drill Prospect I in Namibia, targeting 365 million barrels of unrisked prospective oil resources or 1.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

This expansion also aligns with Angola’s broader strategy to revitalize exploration and boost production in less-developed areas. With aging fields contributing to declining output, Angola is prioritizing foreign partnerships to unlock new reserves and ensure its standing as one of Africa’s top oil producers. Deals like this are central to Angola’s efforts to attract investment, stimulate upstream activity and reassert its position in the global energy market.

As exploration companies seek new opportunities amid a declining global discovery trend, Africa’s deepwater and frontier exploration sectors are attracting growing attention. Breakthroughs in Namibia’s Orange Basin, such as the Venus, Graff and Mopane discoveries, have renewed interest in the continent’s untapped basins. Companies like ReconAfrica are helping to lead a broader shift toward collaborative exploration models, positioning Africa as a growing force in the global energy landscape.

The upcoming African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies conference will be  a key platform for stakeholders to engage with this momentum. Against the backdrop of new exploration agreements in Angola and rising investor interest, the event will convene policymakers, investors and energy executives to explore Africa’s potential and the role of strategic partnerships in advancing frontier development.

The partnership between ReconAfrica and ANPG highlights the significance of such collaborations. By aligning with local agencies, ReconAfrica brings its frontier expertise to bear while contributing to Angola’s national energy goals. This approach serves as a blueprint for other firms seeking to scale operations across Africa through government-industry cooperation. AEW 2025 will spotlight these partnerships and examine the opportunities and challenges of operating in underexplored regions like onshore Angola. Through high-level discussions on investment, technology and policy, the event will help chart the future of exploration across Africa’s resource-rich frontiers.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit https://aecweek.com for more information about this exciting event.