Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), says African leaders must address the mismatch between gas potential and utilisation in the continent.
Ekpo spoke during a keynote address on Friday at the Asharami Square forum, organised by the Sahara Group.
Represented by Abel Nsa, his senior technical adviser, Ekpo said Africa needs to urgently address the narrative of “Africa’s energy paradox”.
“According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Africa accounts for over 7% of global natural gas reserves, with Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, and Mozambique holding the majority of these volumes,” he said.
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“And yet, the continent consumes less than 5% of global gas output. This mismatch between potential and utilisation must be addressed with urgency and purpose.”
The minister said “the gas story must change”.
He said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has provided Nigeria with a modern regulatory framework that enables greater transparency, competitive returns, and investor confidence.
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The minister said harnessing the power of gas requires bold investments in infrastructure, including pipelines that connect supply to demand, virtual pipelines that reach the underserved, and financing frameworks that de-risk investments and incentivise private-sector participation.
“Natural gas is not merely a transitional fuel. It is a transformational fuel. It can power our industries, energize our homes, reduce dependence on more polluting fuels, and drive the engine of inclusive economic growth,” he added.
Also speaking, Adeola Yusuf, energy communications expert, said the media needs to have a “seat on the table” as partners in conversations relating to sustainability to drive accurate reporting and support of all stakeholders.
He said government and private institutions should facilitate seamless access to data and critical information that will support “holistic understanding and fact-based reporting of the issues to promote accountability, transparency and stamp out greenwashing”.
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Ejiro Gray, director of governance and sustainability at Sahara Group, said it is important to contextualise sustainability within Africa’s unique developmental realities.
She said while global attention often focuses on carbon emissions and net-zero targets, African nations face distinct challenges around access, equity, and economic inclusion.
Gray said gas offers a critical opportunity to bridge the gaps, citing Sahara Group’s ongoing investments in gas infrastructure across Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, and Tanzania.
The director said the investments are designed to improve regional trade and energy access across the continent.
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