The President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso meets the CEO of Eni Claudio Descalzi
In a significant meeting held in Brazzaville on July 20, 2024, President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo welcomed Claudio Descalzi, the CEO of Eni, to discuss ongoing and future projects in the country. Also present at the meeting were Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Maixent Raoul Ominga, the General Director of SNPC (Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo), and Guido Brusco, the COO Natural Resources of Eni.
The focal point of the meeting was the Congo LNG project, a landmark initiative for Eni and the Republic of Congo. Descalzi showcased the progress of this project, noting its significant contributions to the global energy market. Remarkably, just twelve months following its authorization in February of this year, the Congo LNG project commenced exporting liquefied gas, marking Congo as an LNG exporting country. With the vision set towards the project’s second phase, which is to start at the end of 2025, gas exports from Congo are projected to escalate to 4.5 billion per year.
Moreover, the conversation between President Nguesso and CEO Descalzi extended to agri-feedstock production projects for biorefining that have taken off following the inauguration of the first Agri-Hub in the country. These projects underline the country’s stride towards energy transition, alongside other initiatives like the distribution of improved cookstoves. This particular initiative, which has begun in Pointe Noire and Brazzaville, is aimed at replacing traditional biomass devices to significantly decrease the impact on forests while enabling the generation of carbon credits, with plans to expand across other provinces into 2024.
The meeting also covered discussions on the latest sustainability initiatives, including the third phase of the Hinda Integrated Project. This phase is geared towards providing access to essential services like water, medical care, and education to approximately 25,000 beneficiaries. Furthermore, efforts to bolster high schools were discussed, focusing on enhancing technical and professional training. Another noteworthy initiative is the Fishermen Project, which aims at developing a modern artisanal fishing complex to elevate the value chain of fishery products within the region.
Eni’s longstanding presence in Congo, spanning over 50 years, underscores its pivotal role in the country’s energy sector. The company’s unique position in developing the vast gas resources of the Republic of Congo has been instrumental in supplying gas to the Central Electricity of Congo (CEV), thereby securing 70% of the nation’s electricity production.
The meeting between President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi underscores a united commitment towards enhancing the Republic of Congo’s energy infrastructure, fostering sustainable development, and contributing to the global energy landscape. Such initiatives not only demonstrate Eni’s integral role in the Congo’s energy sector but also highlight the significant strides being made in the realm of energy sustainability and environmental conservation.
