Oil company BP said today it is pulling out of five countries in southern Africa after a strategic study, but will continue to invest to increase its market share in Mozambique and South Africa.

      BP said it plans to sell its marketing operations in Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana, but will increase its investments in Mozambique and South Africa.

      According to Sipho Maseko, CEO of BP Africa, BP has significant oil and gas operations in Angola, Mozambique and South Africa, as well as Algeria, Egypt and Libya. BP will continue to invest in these African countries to increase its market share.

      BP said it had notified each country of its plans to leave the five African countries, but did not specify when the assets would be sold.