Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially ratified an agreement with the Republic of Congo for the construction of a strategic oil pipeline that will span from Pointe-Noire to Maloukou–Trechot, passing through Loutete.
The announcement was confirmed in a statement released by the Kremlin.
Although the pipeline agreement was initially signed in Moscow on September 2024, the oil-rich African country had been awaiting final approval from Russian authorities.
“The agreement aims to create favourable conditions for cooperation in the sphere of building the Pointe-Noire – Loutete – Maloukou-Trechot oil pipeline on the territory of the Republic of the Congo,” read an official statement from the Kremlin.
A major energy infrastructure project
The pipeline, which will connect the coastal city of Pointe-Noire with the capital Brazzaville, is expected to be completed within three years and will operate for 30 to 40 years.
Its objective is to stabilize the supply of petroleum products within the Republic of Congo and surrounding regions, reduce transportation costs, and enhance regional energy security.
The project will be executed through a joint partnership between Russian construction firm Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey and Congo’s national oil company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo.
The latter will serve as the project’s primary customer.
Project ownership and financing model
Under the terms of the agreement:
- Russia will hold a 90% stake in the joint venture.
- The Republic of Congo will retain a 10% interest.
The pipeline will be developed under a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) concession model.
A formal agreement will be signed between the two partners for a 25-year operational period, during which a guaranteed pumping tariff will be implemented to ensure commercial viability and adequate returns.
All commercial funding for the project will be secured by Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey, with no financial contribution required from Congo’s federal or local budgets.
Meanwhile, the Congolese government will provide necessary permits, approvals, and work to establish preferential tax and customs regimes in support of the project.
Russia’s expanding energy footprint in Africa
The new pipeline deal reflects Russia’s growing energy engagement across Africa, particularly in strategic regions.
Over the past few years, Russian companies have expanded both investment and export operations on the continent.
These companies include:
- Rosneft
- Lukoil
- Gazprom
- Tatneft
- Rosatom
- Zarubezhneft
As of mid-2023, Russian oil product exports to North Africa surged by 144% compared to 2022.
Key destinations for these exports include Algeria, Egypt and Libya.
Beyond oil, Russia is also advancing in nuclear energy through Rosatom, which has signed an MoU with the Republic of Congo to explore future nuclear collaboration in support of Congo’s broader energy goals.
Russia’s nuclear diplomacy is also gaining traction elsewhere on the continent, where it has several nuclear cooperation agreements.
In April 2025, Namibia’s President had a nuclear discussion with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev, highlighting Russia’s increasing efforts to build energy infrastructure and expand geopolitical influence in Africa.
