Rising tensions in the Middle East linked to Iran have disrupted five LNG shipments from Qatar, prompting Italy to look toward African gas supplies to secure its energy needs. Officials in Rome are considering pipeline gas from Libya and Algeria, as well as LNG from Mozambique, while U.S. deliveries remain uncertain.
Qatar’s inability to deliver the scheduled LNG cargoes has led Italian authorities to explore additional imports from North and sub-Saharan Africa. The Port of Mombasa, Mozambique LNG terminals, and pipeline routes from Libya and Algeria are all under consideration to fill the shortfall.
The crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has forced some producers, including Qatar, to declare force majeure, temporarily halting exports of liquefied natural gas. European energy planners are urgently seeking alternatives, creating new opportunities for African gas suppliers.
Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy’s Energy Minister, told Il Messaggero that QatarEnergy informed Italian utility Edison of its inability to deliver five early-April LNG shipments due to the conflict.
He also outlined possible solutions, including U.S. LNG if it becomes available, while noting that pipeline imports from Libya could be viable once the necessary technical conditions are in place.
Reuters reports that Italy is signaling a strategic shift toward African energy to reduce reliance on unstable Middle East shipments.
Opportunities for African exporters
Higher energy demand in Europe has created an advantageous backdrop for African oil and gas producers. Rising global crude prices, with Brent recently trading above $80 a barrel, are reflecting heightened supply risks from the region.
Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana key sub-Saharan exporters stand to benefit from stronger revenues and improved current account balances if prices remain elevated. Nigeria may see gains not only from crude exports but also from refined fuel sales, while Angola could strengthen public finances, and Ghana may enjoy a healthier external balance.
Investment in Africa’s energy sector is also rising. Longer-term oil and gas projects are expected to attract tens of billions of dollars this year, signaling robust investor confidence in the continent’s hydrocarbon potential.
Despite these gains, the advantages are uneven. Several African countries remain net energy importers, which could lead to inflationary pressures, with rising fuel costs already affecting transport and production in economies such as South Africa.
As Italy and other European nations expand energy ties with Africa in response to Iran-linked disruptions, African producers are emerging as key players in global supply chains, a trend likely to reshape investment flows and economic outcomes across the continent in the coming years.