A new deal signed between the governments of Italy and the Republic of the Congo is set to enhance cooperation regarding energy developments and trade between the two countries. Signed by Congo-Brazzaville’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, H.E. Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, and Luigi Di Maio, Italy’s Foreign Minister, in the presence of the CEO of Italian multinational, Eni, Claudio Descalzi, the letter of intent provides for Eni to expand its gas production in Congo-Brazzaville for export to Italy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Eni will accelerate the development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project that will enable the export of over 3 million tons of LNG per year once the project is fully operational in 2023, while ensuring production exceeds local demand.
Following the signing of the deal, the President of the Republic of the Congo, H.E. Dénis Sassou N’Guesso, visited Italy to expand discussions around energy cooperation between the two countries in the areas of decarbonization, sustainability and the energy transition.
As a result, the Italian government, through Eni, will work with the Republic of the Congo to promote renewable energy, develop an agricultural supply chain for feedstock, enhance the adoption of clean cooking, environmental sustainability and conservation as well as for the deployment of carbon capture, storage and utilization solutions.
The development is part of efforts by the Italian government to reduce its reliance on Russian gas due to the ongoing Russian-Ukraine conflict and follows the signing of similar deals with Angola, Egypt and Algeria while talks commence with Mozambique in southern Africa.
