– Calls for strategic investment in Africa’s gas sector
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, GECF, HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel, has pushed back against global efforts to halt financing for natural gas projects, describing such moves as “misguided and unjust.”
To this end, GECF has called for greater investment and regional collaboration to harness Africa’s vast natural gas reserves for economic growth and energy security, describing natural gas the “key to Africa’s future.”
Speaking at the just concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit, NIES 2025, during the panel on “Bridging Continents: Driving Cross-Continental Investment – Scaling Africa’s Energy Frontier,” Hamel emphasized the urgent need for financing and policy support to unlock Africa’s energy potential.
“Africa holds over 8% of the world’s proven gas reserves, yet energy poverty remains a major challenge. To reverse this, we must scale up investment, strengthen regional cooperation, and leverage our natural gas resources to drive industrial growth and expand energy access.
“Africa is responsible for only 3% of global emissions, yet some insist on depriving the continent of the opportunity to develop its resources. This approach is neither fair nor sustainable.
“Natural gas is key to Africa’s economic growth, from power generation to fertiliser production and transitioning millions from traditional biomass to cleaner LPG,” he argued.
Lauding Nigeria’s public-private partnerships and regional energy collaborations, Hamel highlighted key projects such as the Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea gas cooperation and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, TSGP, with Algeria as models for attracting cross-border investment and strengthening Africa’s energy security.
He reaffirmed the GECF’s commitment to supporting Africa’s energy ambitions through investment promotion, capacity building, and technology transfer.
Citing the Algiers Declaration from the 7th GECF Summit, Hamel reiterated the Forum’s strong backing for Africa’s fight against energy poverty, aligning with both the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“Africa’s energy future must be secure, sustainable, and inclusive. With the right investments and policies, we can power industrialization, create jobs, and ensure prosperity for millions,” he concluded.
