From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called for stronger regional cooperation and innovation to unlock the full potential of Africa’s vast natural gas resources, warning that national efforts alone are not sufficient.
Ekpo stated this on Wednesday at the 2nd edition of the Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS) 2025, organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council in Abuja.
The Minister emphasised that without harmonised policies, shared infrastructure and cross-border partnerships, Africa’s gas ambitions may fall short of their transformative promise.
“The resilience we seek in Africa’s gas economy must be continental. That resilience must come from cross-border cooperation, harmonised regulatory frameworks, shared infrastructure, regional markets, and common financing platforms. A fragmented approach will not deliver the scale or the impact we desire,” he said.
Ekpo noted that Africa stands at a critical point in its energy journey, and must chart a path that is just, equitable, and context-specific.
“Natural gas remains that bridge fuel for Africa, a transition energy source that supports industrialisation, expands electricity access, fuels economic diversification, and mitigates emissions when replacing coal or biomass,” he said.
He highlighted Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” initiative as the country’s blueprint for harnessing its gas wealth under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the minister, efforts such as the LPG Penetration Programme, domestic supply reforms and major infrastructure projects were evidence that gas is not just a fuel, but a catalyst for prosperity.
But he stressed that the continent must move beyond rhetoric.
“This is why collaboration such as government-to-government, public-private partnerships, and inter-regional alliances is paramount. From the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline to Trans-Saharan and West African Gas ventures, these are not just pipelines; they are economic lifelines. We must de-risk them through consistent policies, investor-friendly frameworks, and stronger political will,” he added.
He also made a strong case for innovation, calling it the heartbeat of sustainability.
“We must foster African home-grown solutions, encourage research and development in low-carbon technologies, support startups driving digital energy innovation, and build local content capacity that empowers our youth and professionals,” he said.
In her welcome address, Chairperson of the SPE Nigeria Council, Engr. Amina Danmadami, said the summit was more than just a meeting, rather a call to action.
“Africa’s gas sector is at a defining moment. We possess abundant reserves, yet we must overcome legacy challenges: infrastructure gaps, fragmented markets,underinvestment, and policy uncertainties. The solution lies in innovation and collaboration,” she said.
Danmadami noted that AGIS 2025 would explore topics such as gas-to-power strategies, clean cooking solutions, regional integration, and digitalisation, with the aim of positioning Africa as a global gas powerhouse.
The Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Ahmed Galadima Aminu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to building capacity and promoting policy dialogue for Nigeria’s energy sector.
“We are especially encouraged by this year’s focus on collaboration. PTDF remains a strong advocate for synergy among government, academia, and industry, as we believe such partnerships are central to building a sustainable and inclusive energy future for Africa,” he said.
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