Distinct from their more westerly neighbours such as Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, it is fairly uncommon for southeast African countries to hit the headlines when it comes to oil and gas. In fact, apart from some natural gas fields, crude oil discoveries in the region are scarce and barely commercial.
This means the region’s oil needs have to be satisfied externally, which in turn means facilities to bring oil products into the region are of critical strategic importance. As land transport facilities from West Africa’s oil-producing countries are non-existent, transport by sea prevails. Hence the decisive role that the coastline countries play in the import and ongoing supply of oil products to the entire region.
