Nigeria Advocates Regional Collaboration to Boost Gas Development

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called for stronger regional cooperation among African nations to harness the continent’s vast natural gas reserves and tackle persistent energy deficits. Speaking at the Ministerial Roundtable on Regional Gas Development and Cooperation, Ekpo highlighted that Africa holds over 600 trillion cubic feet of gas, yet more than 600 million people lack electricity.

Ekpo stressed that coordinated action, integrated markets, and cross-border projects—such as the West African Gas Pipeline and the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline—are key to transforming resources into industrial growth, energy access, and economic resilience. He urged participating countries to harmonize policies, expand gas-to-power initiatives, promote clean cooking, and leverage climate-aligned financing to ensure tangible benefits for citizens.

“Africa’s energy future depends on connected systems, shared markets, and collective ambition,” Ekpo said, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to lead regional gas development through its “Decade of Gas” initiative.

Written by Adeyemi Adewale