SPE Nigeria urges African collaboration to harness gas potential
The Chairperson of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, Amina Danmadami, has called on stakeholders across Africa’s gas sector to fully harness the continent’s natural gas resources, describing it as a strategic imperative for economic transformation.
Speaking at the 2025 Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS), themed “Building a Resilient African Gas Economy through Innovation and Collaboration”, Danmadami said the continent’s gas industry stands at a defining crossroads.
“This summit is more than a gathering, it is a collective push towards a future where Africa’s gas sector is not only profitable but also inclusive, technologically progressive, environmentally responsible, and resilient in the face of global volatility,” she said.
Danmadami noted that Africa holds significant gas reserves, but persistent barriers such as legacy challenges, inadequate infrastructure, market fragmentation, underinvestment, and inconsistent policies continue to hold the sector back.
She maintained that the way forward lies in leveraging innovation and regional cooperation.
“Over the next two days, AGIS 2025 will spotlight how digitalisation, infrastructure upgrades, gas-to-power initiatives, clean cooking technologies, and regional market integration can elevate Africa to global prominence in the gas industry,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of collaboration among regulators, financiers, innovators, youth, and policymakers to shape a unified energy future for the continent.
Also speaking at the summit, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, reiterated that Nigeria is richly endowed with natural gas, yet struggles to convert that endowment into widespread, inclusive development.
He cited challenges ranging from financing and infrastructure gaps to the need for harmonised policies and improved energy access, noting that these issues must be addressed through coordinated regional efforts.
“Africa is approaching a turning point in its energy transition. For Nigeria, the 'Decade of Gas' declared under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda represents our national commitment to this opportunity,” he said.
Ekpo highlighted the government’s progress in recent years, including the implementation of gas infrastructure projects, expansion of the LPG Penetration Programme across geopolitical zones, and domestic supply reforms aimed at making gas a catalyst for industrial and social development.
“We are committed to unlocking gas for power generation, transportation, cooking, and industry. Gas is not just a fuel, it is a driver of economic prosperity,” he added.