Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called on African governments, private investors, financiers, and international partners to unite in mobilising resources, deploying advanced technologies, and developing innovative financing models to unlock the continent’s gas potential.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Louis Ibah, Spokesman for the Minister, on Monday.
The statement reads partly: “Africa is rich in natural resources, including large natural gas reserves, yet over 600 million Africans lack electricity and nearly one billion lack access to clean cooking solutions. This constitutes a development emergency that constrains education, healthcare, and industrialisation.”
The minister, who spoke at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) workshop on “Natural Gas for Africa’s Sustainable Development” during Africa Energy Week in Cape Town, stressed that natural gas must be urgently deployed to achieve the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
According to him: “Natural gas is not simply a transition fuel but both a bridge and a destination fuel, essential to building resilient economies and societies. It can power homes, schools, hospitals, and industries, drive industrialisation, reduce dependence on biomass for cooking, and support renewable energy by providing baseload stability.”
Dr. Ekpo emphasised that President Bola Tinubu had placed gas at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda through the Decade of Gas initiative, leveraging more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves. He said the initiative is designed to deliver prosperity for Nigerians, strengthen regional energy security, and contribute to global energy stability.
He pointed to Nigeria’s ongoing projects, including gas-to-power schemes, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration programme targeting five million homes by 2030, and the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce reliance on petrol and diesel.
He further cited strategic infrastructure such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipeline, the OB3 pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train 7 as key drivers of domestic and export growth.
The minister also highlighted regional initiatives, including the West African Gas Pipeline and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, alongside new collaborations with Libya.
He noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and recent presidential reforms had created transparent, investor-friendly frameworks to attract capital into the gas sector.
He added: “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. Nigeria stands ready to share experiences, deepen cooperation, and work with all stakeholders towards an energy-secure, industrialised, and prosperous Africa.”