On Monday, January 26, 2026 in Oslo, the authority Norwegian agency for the fight against economic crime has announced the indictment for aggravated corruption of two Norwegian citizens and a subsidiary of Petronor.

Norwegian authorities have revealed a case of aggravated corruption involving Norwegian economic actors and Congolese political leaders. According to the prosecutor in charge of the case, “particularly high” amounts would have been paid to facilitate Obtaining oil exploration permits in the Republic of Congo.

This announcement marks a turning point in relationships economic ties between Norway and Congo, two nations linked by the oil industry but separated by standards of diametrically opposed transparency.

The investigation led to the indictment of two citizens Norwegians whose identity has not been disclosed, from a subsidiary of Petronor, a Norwegian oil company active in Africa and members of the Congolese presidential entourage.

The charge for “aggravated corruption” involves sentences of up to 10 years in prison, substantial fines for legal persons, the confiscation of illicit profits and the prohibition to carry out certain commercial activities.