Central Africa eyes regional pipeline network

Ambitious plans for a cross-border network of oil and gas pipelines in central Africa have some significant backers but will likely struggle to secure funds from traditional sources

Seven central African nations—Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea and Gabon—signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in early September to cooperate on developing the proposed Central African Pipeline System (Caps) for oil and gas transshipment within the region. The African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (Appo) and the Central Africa Business Forum were also signatories to the MoU, which paves the way for feasibility studies to be carried out. The goal of the project is “to boost energy supply within the region, reduce dependence on imports of refined products, and eradicate energy poverty by 2030”, according to a stateme