Putin’s Pipeline Power Grab: Russia Secures Control Over Congo’s Energy Future

June 9, 2025 | Brazzaville, Republic of Congo — Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified legislation on Monday, formalizing a deal that grants Moscow a commanding 90% stake in a major petroleum pipeline project in the Republic of Congo. The Pointe-Noire-Loutete-Maloukou-Trechot pipeline, spanning from the coastal port of Pointe-Noire to inland regions, aims to alleviate chronic fuel shortages while positioning Russia as a dominant player in Central Africa’s energy landscape.

The agreement, signed in Moscow on September 28, 2024, has sparked debate over its lopsided terms, with critics arguing it undervalues Congo’s contributions. As Russia deepens its African footprint amid Western sanctions, the project underscores a strategic pivot to secure new markets and influence.

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Strategic Pipeline to Transform Congo’s Energy Supply

The pipeline, a joint venture between Russia’s Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey and the National Petroleum Company of Congo, will stretch over 1,300 kilometers, connecting Pointe-Noire to the capital region near Brazzaville. With a projected capacity of 2.1 million tons of petroleum products annually, the pipeline is expected to stabilize fuel supplies in a country where shortages have fueled public unrest.

Under a build-own-operate-transfer model, construction will commence within months and take three years, while operations will span 30 to 40 years. Russian Deputy Energy Minister Dmitry Islamov emphasized that the project will reduce logistics costs and ensure uninterrupted fuel deliveries to inland areas, addressing a critical socio-economic issue. The agreement also includes tax exemptions from Congo to facilitate construction.

Russia’s Broader African Ambitions

This pipeline deal is part of Russia’s aggressive push to expand influence in Africa, a strategy intensified by Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. Russia has forgiven $23 billion in African debt and pledged an additional $90 million in relief, aiming to boost trade to $15 billion by 2025. The Republic of Congo, with its 1.8 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and status as OPEC’s sixth-largest African producer, is a key partner.

Moscow’s recent diplomatic moves, including South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia joining BRICS, reflect its goal to position Africa as a counterweight to Western dominance. The pipeline not only secures Russia’s access to Central African markets, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, but also establishes a sanctions-resistant energy distribution channel, according to Islamov.

Did you know?
The Republic of Congo’s oil sector accounts for 89% of its exports, yet over 70% of its population lives in poverty, highlighting stark inequalities in resource distribution.

Controversy Over Unequal Terms

The agreement’s 90-10 ownership split, favoring Russia, has drawn sharp criticism from Congolese civil society. Andrea Ngombet of the Sassoufit Collective labeled it a “capitulation” that marginalizes Congo’s role despite its provision of land, labor, and market access. Critics estimate that Congo’s 10% stake will yield just $112.5 million over 25 years, compared to over $500 million with a 45% share.

The deal’s arbitration clause, stipulating dispute resolution in Dubai, has further fueled concerns about sovereignty. Western officials, wary of Russia’s growing presence in Africa’s strategic sectors, view the pipeline as a geopolitical maneuver to counter sanctions and expand Moscow’s influence in resource-rich regions.

Geopolitical and Economic Implications

The pipeline project aligns with Russia’s broader energy strategy, which faces challenges from U.S.-led sanctions targeting its oil exports. Despite these pressures, Russia’s trade with Africa grew by 60% in 2024, reaching $38.4 million with Congo alone, driven by agricultural and energy exports. The project, initially proposed in 2017 but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, was finalized at the sixth Russia-Congo intergovernmental trade-economic commission in 2022.

With completion expected by 2028, the pipeline could enhance Russia’s high-tech exports while addressing Congo’s fuel distribution bottlenecks. However, the deal’s long-term impact on Congo’s economy and regional energy security remains under scrutiny, as critics question whether it prioritizes Moscow’s interests over local development.