The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Council of Ministers has approved a draft decree that grants state-owned oil company SONAHYDROC the rights to Blocks 1 and 2 in the Albertine Graben.
The decree was introduced on April 11 by Hydrocarbons Minister Aimé Sakombi Molendo during the Council’s 39th meeting. It allows for the direct allocation of the two blocks to SONAHYDROC under a service contract.
Located in eastern DRC, the Albertine Graben is seen as a high-potential zone for oil exploration. By awarding these blocks directly to SONAHYDROC, the government aims to fast-track exploration and production while strengthening national participation in the development of strategic resources.
The decree sets out the legal and fiscal terms for this allocation, ensuring it adheres to the existing regulatory framework. It also reflects the government’s broader strategy of leveraging state-owned enterprises to drive resource development.