Petrobras focuses on expansion in Africa, with a strategic distancing from Venezuela, according to its director.
Petrobras’ Exploration and Production Director, Sylvia dos Anjos, announced a shift in direction for the state-owned company’s international investment priorities. Speaking at the ROG.e 2026 event in Rio de Janeiro, the executive made it clear that the company’s focus is turned toward the African continent, rather than opportunities in Venezuela. This strategic decision signals a long-term move in search of new energy horizons outside of Brazil.
During a panel on innovation and exploration, Sylvia dos Anjos was emphatic when asked about Petrobras’ interest in operating in Venezuela, a South American country that has been attracting the attention of major oil companies amid a complex geopolitical landscape. The director stated that, at the moment, the company is not evaluating investments in Venezuela, concentrating its prospecting efforts in another direction.
Petrobras’ focus is directed toward Africa, where the company has already been developing in-depth studies in several nations. Sylvia dos Anjos specifically mentioned interest in exploratory blocks in Mozambique, through a partnership with ENH (Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos). The Brazilian state-owned company aims to be prepared for future bidding rounds and investment opportunities on the continent.
Recent agreements and memorandums of understanding signed by Petrobras with Mozambican companies and the expansion of its operations in countries such as São Tomé and Príncipe, Côte d’Ivoire, Namibia, and South Africa reinforce this African expansion strategy.
The company is exploring the geological similarities between the Brazilian and African margins of the South Atlantic, leveraging the knowledge accumulated over decades of exploration in Brazil to optimize the identification and development of new reservoirs in Africa. This approach aims to strengthen Petrobras’ position in the global energy market.
