Prince Arthur Eze secures multi-billion-dollar oil mining deal in Central African Republic
By Obinna Nwachukwu
In a major boost to economic cooperation between Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR), prominent Nigerian businessman and investor, Prince Arthur Eze (Ozo Igbo Ndu), President of Stantech Engineering Group Nigeria Limited and Chairman of Oranto/Atlas Petroleum
Limited, has again secured a multi-billion-dollar investment deal in the mining and oil sectors of the Central African Republic.
President Faustin Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic received Prince Eze and his delegation on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the
Presidential Palace in Bangui.
The visit, made at the invitation of President Touadéra, marked a new
chapter of partnership between
the two nations, focusing on large-scale investments in mining exploration, oil and gas development, agriculture, transportation, and other
natural resource sectors. During the high-level meeting, discussions centered on strategic collaboration to
unlock CAR’s vast natural wealth and drive industrial growth through the expertise and technical capacity of
Stantech Engineering and Oranto Petroleum.
Prince Arthur Eze, known for his extensive investments across Africa’s energy and infrastructure landscape,
expressed deep satisfaction with the discussions held, stating that he was “very pleased to return once again to
the Central African Republic” and assured that the projects discussed “will be realised in the short term.”
The working session continued at the Cabinet Council Room of the Presidency, where Prince Eze and members of his delegation held further
talks with key ministers and officials of the Central African Government. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships
aimed at transforming CAR’s extractive and energy sectors.
Only recently, another African country, Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma
Boakai announced the signing of four new Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) between the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) and Atlas/Oranto Petroleum also owned by Nigerian multi- billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze.
The agreements grant exploratory rights over offshore blocks LB-15, LB-16, LB-22, and LB-24, to Atlas/Oranto, marking a significant step in Liberia’s effort to revitalize its oil and gas sector.
Each contract carries a signature
bonus of US$12 million and an estimated investment value of US$200 million per block, signaling renewed investor confidence in Liberia’s offshore potential.
The announcement of the business
investments in these African countries
have been hailed by industry experts as a milestone for the continent’s energy sector development.
President Boakai emphasised that the
new agreements will adhere strictly to
Liberia’s legal and regulatory framework.
“Our goal is to ensure that Liberia’s
resources are managed with transparency and responsibility. These contracts will be implemented with strict standards of environmental protection, strong local participation, and clear accountability so that Liberians benefit directly from the opportunities created,” he said during the signing ceremony in Paris, France.
Oranto Petroleum, founded in 1993
by Prince Arthur Eze, is a major Nigerian independent oil and gas company that, along with its sister company Atlas Petroleum International, forms Africa’s
largest privately-held, Africa-focused
exploration and production group by
acreage.
The group has a vast operational
footprint across Africa, including
producing assets and numerous licenses for oil and gas exploration and production in countries such as Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia.
With headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria,
the company has a strategy focused on discovering and developing the potential of African frontier markets.
Experts say Prince Arthur Eze’s huge
investment in Liberia and CAR provides an opportunity to demonstrate the company’s strong desire to expand its reach to many African countries and even
beyond in its quest to be the continent’s leading crude oil exploration company.
The Atlas-Oranto Group operates in
11 countries across Africa, with regional offices and a technical base in Lagos, Nigeria. The company specializes in oil and gas exploration, production, and development, particularly in “frontier”
and emerging markets on the continent.
The company holds numerous licenses for exploration and production. For example, in Uganda, Oranto Petroleum was granted a two-year extension for its Ngassa Deep and Ngassa Shallow exploration licenses. It also holds significant acreage in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Atlas/Oranto has also signed agreements to expand its presence into North and South America, starting with its subsidiary Veneoranto Petroleum in Venezuela.
This second landmark investment in
CAR, as well as the one in Liberia, are
expected to create significant employment opportunities, boost local industries, and reinforce regional economic ties between Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Liberia and other African nation.
