Ekpo – Strong Collaboration Key to Unlocking Africa’s Gas Resources
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged governments, private sector players, financiers, and international partners to work together in mobilizing resources, deploying technology, and creating innovative financing models to unlock Africa’s vast gas resources.
Gas as a Catalyst for Development
Speaking at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) workshop titled “Natural Gas for Africa’s Sustainable Development” on the sidelines of Africa Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, Ekpo stressed that natural gas is critical for accelerating sustainable development while advancing the continent’s energy transition goals.
He noted that despite Africa’s immense natural resource wealth, over 600 million Africans lack electricity and nearly one billion lack access to clean cooking solutions, calling it a “development emergency” that undermines healthcare, education, and industrialization.
“If Africa is to achieve the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, we must urgently deploy natural gas as a catalyst for inclusive growth and prosperity,” Ekpo said.
The Role of Gas in Africa’s Future
Ekpo outlined the unique value of natural gas for Africa’s sustainable development, pointing to its potential to expand energy access, drive industrialization, enable clean cooking, and support the energy transition by complementing renewables with stable baseload power.
He emphasized that for Africa, natural gas is not just a transition fuel but both a bridge and a destination fuel, essential for building resilient economies and societies.
Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Initiative
Highlighting Nigeria’s efforts, Ekpo said President Bola Tinubu has placed gas at the center of the economic transformation agenda through the Decade of Gas initiative. With over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves, Nigeria aims to deliver prosperity, strengthen regional energy security, and contribute to global stability.
Key projects include gas-to-power expansion, the LPG penetration program targeting five million homes by 2030, and CNG initiatives to reduce reliance on petrol and diesel. Major infrastructure such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipeline, OB3 pipeline, and NLNG Train 7 are underway to boost domestic supply and enhance LNG exports.
Regional Integration and Policy Support
Ekpo further noted that Nigeria is driving regional integration through the West African Gas Pipeline, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, and new opportunities with Libya. He added that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and recent executive orders have established transparent, investor-friendly frameworks to attract capital into the gas sector.
“Africa’s development must be powered by Africa’s resources, driven by Africa’s priorities, and supported through Africa-led partnerships. Natural gas is central to this vision—it is the fuel that can light homes, power industries, secure livelihoods, and safeguard our future,” Ekpo declared.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to share experiences, deepen cooperation, and work with partners across the continent to achieve an energy-secure, industrialized, and prosperous Africa.
