Africa: Who are the biggest oil producers?

The African energy landscape in 2026 confirms the dominance of a few long-standing players whilst revealing a dynamic reshaping of the continent’s hydrocarbon landscape. Nigeria retains its position as Africa’s leading crude oil producer, with output hovering around 1.6 million barrels per day. This performance, although supported by recent structural reforms, remains vulnerable to the logistical and security challenges affecting its infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

Close behind, Libya has emerged as the region’s fastest-growing economy. Thanks to a return to relative stability and the exploitation of its reserves – the largest on the continent – the country has surpassed the 1.3 million barrels per day mark. Angola and Algeria round off this leading group, with production levels stabilising at around 1.1 million and 0.95 million barrels per day respectively. While Angola is relying on deep-water offshore exploration to slow the natural decline of its fields, Algeria is benefiting from a hydrocarbons sector revitalised by new export records to the European market.

Beyond these giants, Egypt maintains a solid output of around 500,000 barrels per day, whilst medium-sized producers such as the Republic of the Congo and Gabon provide a stable, albeit smaller, contribution. However, investors’ attention is now turning to new frontiers, particularly in West Africa.

The MSGBC basin and the Gulf of Guinea are seeing the emergence of new strategic hubs. Senegal, whose production really took off in 2025, is gradually joining the ranks of exporters, transforming the economic landscape of the sub-region. At the same time, Côte d’Ivoire is experiencing a remarkable rise in influence thanks to the rapid development of the Baleine field, the largest hydrocarbon project ever undertaken in the country. These developments suggest that whilst the current balance of power still favours the central Gulf of Guinea and North Africa, the diversification of production sources is reshaping the continent’s economic outlook for the coming decade.