Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called on African nations to leverage the continent’s abundant natural gas reserves to drive industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, GECF, workshop on “Natural Gas for Africa’s Sustainable Development” on the sidelines of Africa Energy Week in Cape Town, Ekpo said Africa cannot afford to ignore its natural gas wealth while over 600 million people lack electricity and nearly one billion still cook with unsafe fuels.
“This is not just an energy challenge, it is a development emergency,” he declared.
“Natural gas offers Africa a pathway to industrialisation, clean cooking, energy security, and sustainable growth. It is not only a transition fuel, it is both a bridge and a destination fuel.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s gas policy, Ekpo pointed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to advancing the Decade of Gas initiative, which prioritises investments in infrastructure and domestic utilisation.
“In Nigeria, under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are expanding gas-to-power, scaling LPG penetration to 5 million homes by 2030, rolling out CNG for transport, and completing strategic infrastructure like AKK, OB3, and the Nigerian LNG Train 7 project,” he said.
Ekpo stressed that Africa’s energy future must be determined by African governments and private sector players, working in synergy to maximise the continent’s resources for its people.
“Africa’s development must be powered by Africa’s resources, driven by Africa’s priorities, and supported by Africa-led partnerships,” the Minister said.
“Nigeria stands ready to share experiences, deepen cooperation, and work with partners to achieve an energy-secure and prosperous Africa.”
