Nigeria has claimed the top spot as Africa’s highest oil producer in April 2025, outpacing Libya and Algeria, according to the latest OPEC monthly report.

The country produced an estimated 1,471 thousand barrels per day (tb/d), surpassing Libya’s 1,263 tb/d and Algeria’s 912 tb/d.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also reported a 6.8% month-on-month decline in the OPEC Reference Basket value, which averaged $68.98 per barrel in April, down from $74.00 in March.

This drop was driven by falling prices across all major crude oil benchmarks.Despite these price drops, Nigeria’s economy remains resilient, supported by exemptions on gas and oil exports amid global tariff tensions.

The report highlighted Nigeria’s steady private sector growth: “The April 2025 Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria PMI eased slightly to 54.2 from a one-year high of 54.3 in March, but still marked the fifth consecutive month of expansion,” the report stated.

Output growth accelerated to its fastest pace since January 2024, with employment rising for the fifth straight month to an eight-month high, reflecting stronger demand in the economy.On the country’s oil outlook, the report added, “Recent US tariffs are not anticipated to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy because of exemptions for gas and oil exports and the country’s limited trade with the US.”Other African producers saw declines or flat production last month, with Congo maintaining steady output at 260 tb/d.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has granted regulatory approval for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, set to resume exploration between Bauchi and Gombe states, signalling further growth in Nigeria’s oil sector.

As global oil demand is forecast to increase by 1.3 million barrels per day in 2025, Nigeria’s leading production position underscores its critical role in the continent’s energy landscape.