As head of the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), Maixent Raoul Ominga confidently steers the company at a pivotal moment in its energy history. His name not only represents a model of leadership; he has become a key figure in discussions on how African oil and gas producers can adapt to a constantly changing global energy environment.
According to Maixent Raoul Ominga, “Energy development is not only an economic necessity, it is also an instrument of nation-building.”
Ominga’s rise within SNPC is based on solid institutional expertise and a mastery of financial issues. Before assuming this role, he served as Deputy Managing Director, overseeing finance and accounting, which gave him in-depth knowledge of the company’s internal dynamics. This experience was not only technical but also strategic. Upon becoming CEO, he already had a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with SNPC’s national mission: to manage and develop Congo’s precious hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of the country.
What truly sets Ominga apart is his ability to adapt to change. While many leaders in traditional energy sectors remain focused on oil, Ominga has redirected SNPC’s long-term vision toward gas, a more sustainable and cleaner resource, in line with Congo’s future energy ambitions. “We see gas not only as an energy source, but also as a vector of transition,” he has often stated publicly, a view shared by many observers who note that, under his leadership and in line with the vision of President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, SNPC is increasingly looking to the future. From the Nanga gas fields to the underexplored Mayombe basins, Ominga has championed strategic investments in exploration and infrastructure. His goal is simple yet ambitious: to make Congolese natural gas a catalyst for industrialization, power generation, and regional energy security. These are not just empty words; they are active planning, investment attraction, and infrastructure development taking place in real time under his leadership.
A Visionary’s Perspective: Reinventing Energy Finance
Perhaps one of the most remarkable elements of Ominga’s leadership is his ability to reimagine financing for energy development in Africa, especially at a time when international investment is gradually shifting away from fossil fuels and toward renewables. Rather than seeing this shift as an obstacle, Ominga interprets it as an opportunity to innovate and transform the continent’s energy landscape. In December 2024, SNPC launched the “SNPC 6.5% Net 2024-2029” bond issue, marking a bold and strategic shift. This move was not simply aimed at raising funds, but at establishing a new model: leveraging regional markets to finance the African energy sector in ways adapted to local realities. The $300 million expected from this issue will be allocated to essential drilling and development projects in the Nanga, Kouakouala, and Le Mayombe fields, areas with high potential but which have long suffered from a lack of infrastructure and access to international financing.
Underlying this decision lies a significant paradigm shift. Ominga and his team realized that traditional financing, particularly that from international banks and development agencies, is becoming increasingly inaccessible for fossil fuel-related initiatives. As Vianney Ebenga, SNPC’s Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, explained at the Congo Energy and Investment Forum, the global financial paradigm has shifted: “Clean energy is now the priority of international institutions.”
Instead of lamenting this situation, Ominga’s team decided to adopt a new strategy. With the support of advisors such as Aymor Ebiou and financial experts like Fernand Gaboumba Moukengue of LCB Capital, they designed a solution adapted to local realities. “International financing is limited; therefore, it is essential to innovate,” Ebiou emphasized, illustrating the new vision guiding SNPC’s approach.
This national financing model not only strengthens SNPC’s independence but also builds trust in the Congolese financial ecosystem. As Moukengue pointed out, “We can raise funds safely on the domestic market.” This strategy is already bearing fruit and is being closely followed by other African national oil companies.
An Outside-the-Box Perspective: Promoting Collaboration and Sustainability
Although oil and gas form the major foundations of SNPC’s portfolio, Maixent Raoul Ominga’s vision transcends simple production metrics. For him, energy development is not just an economic need but also a key lever for nation-building. This is why he consistently emphasizes the need for public-private collaboration to stimulate growth. Under his leadership, SNPC has become not only a producer but also a convener: a platform where government actors, private investors, regional stakeholders, and international partners come together to develop a more inclusive energy future for Congo. His commitment to collaboration is perhaps best demonstrated by SNPC’s active role in events such as the Congo Energy and Investment Forum, which has become a pillar of energy dialogue in the region. At these meetings, Ominga doesn’t just deliver speeches: he engages in dialogue, listens, and builds relationships. His approach reflects a deep understanding that sustainable development in the energy sector cannot occur in a vacuum.
Furthermore, his belief in shared progress is also reflected in the employment and local value creation objectives linked to SNPC’s new projects. By mobilizing domestic capital to finance exploration, SNPC also ensures that Congolese workers, service providers, and communities are at the heart of development. This is not a trickle-down model, but rather participatory growth based on local ownership and regional integration. At a time when global discussions focus on the environmental impact of hydrocarbons, Ominga’s approach to gas positions Congo in a sustainable development dynamic. This strategy reconciles ecological requirements with the country’s economic growth ambitions while preserving its development priorities.
Under Maixent Raoul Ominga’s leadership, SNPC has become a central platform connecting the government, investors, regional stakeholders, and international partners to shape Congo’s energy future.
Maixent Raoul Ominga: An Architect of an Inspiring Future
In a world where energy discourses are often polarised — between fossil fuels and renewables, local development and global finance — Maixent Raoul Ominga is charting a third path. It is a path defined by innovation, regional empowerment, and a long-term vision. As Director General of SNPC, he not only manages hydrocarbons; he is managing change with a clarity and determination that is increasingly rare in the sector.
For Congo, this means a strengthened national oil company, a more robust energy sector, and a stronger presence on the African scene. For those following the continent’s energy developments, Maixent Raoul Ominga’s name is worth mentioning.
Lawilla in Congo
