Russia’s RDS Group Plans African Service Network as Gazprom Neft Targets Mature Oilfields

Russia’s RDS Group is planning to establish a network of service companies across Africa to support technology transfer, technical training and local entrepreneurship, as Russian businesses seek to expand their commercial presence on the continent. Speaking during the Russia-Africa Energy Investment Forum at African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, Alexander Starostin, Chairman of RDS Group, said the company is exploring partnerships with African businesses, with several potential projects already under discussion.

“We are looking at creating a network of service companies that will train African companies and entrepreneurs. We have already discussed a few projects and we believe we are positioned for success,” Starostin said.

The move comes as Russian companies seek to expand their footprint across the continent, bringing technical expertise in oil, gas and broader energy development. In the upstream sector, Gazprom Neft is targeting mature onshore oilfields across Africa, seeking brownfield opportunities where operational improvements and Russian technical expertise can increase production. Evgeniy Petrenko, Head for International Business at Gazprom Neft, said the company has established a dedicated team focused on Africa and is pursuing long-term partnerships tailored to individual markets.

“Our strategy is onshore mature assets. We are looking for brownfield assets, bringing operational efficiency to increase production and breathe new life into these fields,” Petrenko said. “Africa is not a short-term opportunity for us; but a long-term commitment. We want to be present, understand the market and build real opportunities.”

Petrenko emphasized the importance of flexible commercial structures, local partnerships and technical cooperation, particularly in markets with complex geological conditions.

“We don't want to sell solutions to Africa; we want to develop solutions with Africa,” he said.

Supporting Russian companies' market entry, Anton Schetinin, Director of Industrial Export Senior at the Russian Export Center - including KSI and , identified Africa as a priority market, highlighting efforts to connect Russian technology suppliers with local institutions and businesses. He noted that limited awareness of Russian industrial technologies remains a challenge, with the center seeking to promote available solutions and support companies pursuing export and investment opportunities.

“African regions are one of our main priorities which is why we’re trying to develop our relationships with local institutions,” Schetinin said. “We have the tools ready to support Russian companies that are willing to invest.”

For African governments, Russian participation presents opportunities across hydrocarbons, refining and industrial infrastructure. Nosizwe Nokwe-Macamo, Non-Executive Director of the South African National Petroleum Company, highlighted opportunities to leverage established bilateral relations and BRICS cooperation to strengthen South Africa's oil and gas sector.

She identified insufficient domestic refining capacity and dependence on external fuel supply as areas where international partnerships could play a greater role.

“Given the inefficient refining capacity that we have in this country and the fact that we require security of supply, we need all the help we can get,” she said. “If companies are ready to support us, we would be open to those types of conversations.”

Equatorial Guinea also outlined new investment opportunities beyond its established hydrocarbons sector. Domingo Mba Esono, Deputy Minister in Charge of Local Content at the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, Mines and Electricity, said the government is preparing to strengthen its mining framework to attract international investors and diversify the economy.

The country is compiling geological and technical information to support investment decisions, while advancing a new Mining Law through the legislative process.

“We hope that investors will take advantage of this opportunity and participate in this industry,” Mba Esono said.

At the government level, Roman Ambarov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to South Africa and Lesotho, reaffirmed Russia's interest in expanding practical energy cooperation with African partners, particularly through projects supporting industrial development and reliable energy supply.

“Russia believes that energy cooperation must be practical, mutual and bring long-term beneficiation,” Ambarov said. “Our message to our African partners is simple: tell us where there is real economic need and we are ready to discuss a practical solution.”