According to recent data from the Energy Research Unit, Algeria has secured the fourth position among the top crude oil exporters in Africa. The country exported an average of 380,000 barrels per day from March to August 2026. This ranking is part of a broader analysis of the top 5 African seaborne crude oil exporting countries, which also includes Libya, Nigeria, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo.
The combined exports of these top 5 countries experienced a 6% decline compared to the same period in 2025. Their total exports averaged about 4 million barrels per day during the first six months of the Iranian war, down from 4.26 million barrels per day in the previous year. This represents a decrease of 260,000 barrels per day. Such trends indicate fluctuations in the global crude oil market.
Libya led the list with an average export volume of 1.20 million barrels per day, marking a 2% increase from the same period in 2025. This rise is equivalent to an additional 20,000 barrels per day compared to 1.18 million barrels per day in 2025. Nigeria followed closely, with an average export volume of 1.20 million barrels per day, despite a significant 15% decrease from its 1.41 million barrels per day in the previous year.
Angola secured the third position with an average export volume of 1.02 million barrels per day. This represents a 3% increase, or an additional 30,000 barrels per day, compared to 990,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2025. These numbers reflect the dynamic nature of crude oil production and export among African nations.
The Republic of the Congo ranked fifth, with an average export volume of 260,000 barrels per day. This marks a 4% increase, or about 10,000 barrels per day, compared to 250,000 barrels per day in the same period last year. These shifts in export volumes highlight the ongoing changes in the African crude oil market.
In contrast to African trends, Middle East crude oil exports saw a significant decline during the first six months of the Iranian war. They fell by 41%, equivalent to 6.8 million barrels per day, to about 9.9 million barrels per day, compared to 16.7 million barrels per day in the same period of 2025. This decline underscores the geopolitical and economic factors influencing global crude oil markets.
The data from the Energy Research Unit provides valuable insights into the current state of crude oil exports in Africa and the Middle East. As global economic and political landscapes continue to evolve, these trends are likely to shift, impacting the rankings and export volumes of major crude oil-exporting countries.
Key points
- Algeria ranks fourth in African crude oil exports with an average of 380,000 barrels per day.
- The top 5 African crude oil exporters are Libya, Nigeria, Angola, Algeria, and the Republic of the Congo.
- Middle East crude oil exports declined by 41% during the first six months of the Iranian war.
