Global upstream intelligence firm Welligence Energy Analytics has announced an expanded focus on West Africa, underscoring the region’s growing importance as a frontier for oil and gas exploration and production.
The company, which provides data-driven insights to more than 100 exploration and production (E&P) firms worldwide, sees strong momentum in countries such as Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Speaking at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 in Cape Town, Welligence CEO Ross Lubetkin said recent reforms and regulatory improvements by African governments are boosting investor confidence and creating favorable conditions for upstream growth.
“We cover every barrel of oil and gas globally, and within Africa we have a team that looks at every region.
“E&Ps do much of their screening work from their desktops, and our platform provides the data and analytics to identify opportunities here in Africa.”
Welligence CEO Ross Lubetkin
West Africa’s Upstream Surge
The renewed attention comes at a time when deepwater and ultra-deepwater projects in West Africa are shaping the continent’s energy future.
Welligence has been closely tracking discoveries and portfolio realignments in the region, noting that independents are increasingly taking over mature assets as international oil majors divest.
In Nigeria, long regarded as Africa’s energy powerhouse, a wave of mergers and acquisitions has been reshaping the upstream sector.
Similarly, Ivory Coast has captured investor attention with promising discoveries offshore, while Ghana continues to consolidate its role as a reliable producer through both new finds and policy stability.
Lubetkin emphasized that governments have become more responsive to the needs of investors.
“African governments have made progress in improving fiscal and regulatory frameworks.
“That shift is creating favorable conditions for exploration and production companies looking to expand in the region.”
Welligence CEO Ross Lubetkin
Data as a Strategic Asset
Central to Welligence’s approach is the idea that high-quality data can serve as a competitive advantage for both governments and investors.
The company provides intelligence on production, reserves, costs, fiscal terms, and deal flow, helping stakeholders make informed decisions.
Lubetkin noted, “If you take that data, analyze it and attract investment to your country, that is the definition of an asset,” He argued that the strategic use of data could be the difference between attracting billions in foreign direct investment or being overlooked in favor of more transparent markets.
Welligence has also observed a notable trend of smaller independent oil companies entering the West African upstream market.
These firms are acquiring fields from major operators, particularly in Nigeria, where international companies have been scaling back their exposure to onshore assets due to operational and environmental challenges.
According to Lubetkin, this transition signals a reshaping of the regional energy map. Independents, he said, often bring agility, local partnerships, and a willingness to extract value from mature fields that larger players no longer prioritize.
While West Africa remains a major focus, Welligence is also keeping a close eye on Namibia, where recent hydrocarbon discoveries in the Orange Basin have made global headlines. International operators and independents alike are rushing to secure acreage in what many are calling Africa’s next big oil frontier.
Lubetkin acknowledged that Namibia is emerging as a hotspot, but stressed that West Africa’s mix of mature infrastructure, proven reserves, and new exploration frontiers makes it a sustained investment destination.
“There is increased interest in Namibia, but West Africa is where we see a balance of established production and high-potential discoveries.”
Welligence CEO Ross Lubetkin
Strengthening Africa’s Energy Narrative
At a time when global energy markets are shifting towards cleaner and more secure supplies, Welligence’s expansion in West Africa reflects the region’s enduring relevance.
Countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast are positioning themselves not just as exporters but as stable, attractive destinations for upstream investment.
Lubetkin concluded that Africa’s narrative should not solely revolve around resource availability, but also around the continent’s capacity to create investor-friendly environments.
As governments across West Africa deepen reforms and as companies like Welligence provide the intelligence to support investment, the region is likely to see a new wave of projects that could transform its economic trajectory.
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