Germany, EU Launch Flare4Value Project To Curb Gas Flaring In Nigeria’s Oil Producing Communities
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The European Union and the German Embassy in Abuja have unveiled a landmark initiative, the German–Nigerian Flare4Value Project, aimed at reducing gas flaring in Nigeria while unlocking new economic opportunities through gas optimisation and greenhouse gas mitigation.
Announced as part of the 2025 Green Diplomacy Week, the project seeks to transform environmental challenges into drivers of industrial growth, cleaner energy, and sustainable development.
Partnership for Clean Energy and Industrial Growth
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Kristina Fuerst, Head of the German–Nigerian Hydrogen Office, described the initiative as a major milestone in the partnership between both countries, noting that “gas flaring reduction is not only a climate priority but also a gateway to energy access and industrial expansion.”
Also speaking, Johannes Lehne, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, emphasised that the strategic importance of curbing gas flaring lies in its dual benefits for the environment and the economy.
“By capturing and utilising flare gas, we not only cut emissions but also create value for power generation and industry,” he said, adding that the project reflects Germany’s and the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s climate leadership.
Nigeria’s Commitment to Responsible Gas Utilisation
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Vitalis Obi, said the Flare4Value initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s resolve to harness its gas resources responsibly. He explained that the project would help transform flare gas into an engine for cleaner energy, industrial growth, and sustainable economic development.
Implemented under the H₂-diplo Programme of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the project is commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office and financed through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). It supports Germany’s global energy diplomacy by promoting green hydrogen as a tool for decarbonisation and economic diversification.
Transforming Waste into Clean Energy
Nigeria remains one of the world’s top seven gas-flaring countries, losing billions in potential revenue and emitting over 16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually. The Flare4Value project aims to tackle this by exploring flare gas-to-hydrogen pathways, turning waste emissions into clean energy and aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas sector with its Energy Transition Plan.
Godfrey Ogbemudia, Programme Manager for Energy, Circular Economy and Climate Change at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the initiative would strengthen flare-reduction efforts already yielding results.
“This isn’t just about protecting the environment—it’s about creating business opportunities through gas commercialisation and cleaner energy solutions,” he said.
Next Steps and Stakeholder Engagement
The project was formally introduced during a virtual meeting on September 29, followed by a high-level event in Abuja. A study tour to Germany is scheduled for later in October, and the initiative will culminate in a multi-stakeholder conference in Abuja on December 4, 2025, where a discussion paper on flare-gas reduction and a B2B platform for Nigerian and German businesses will be launched.
