From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged African countries to unite in a regional front to develop the continent’s vast gas resources, warning that disjointed national efforts would undermine growth and sustainability in the sector.
Speaking at the 2nd Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS) 2025 in Abuja on Wednesday, Ekpo stressed that Africa’s gas revolution requires a collective, continental approach built on harmonised policies, cross-border partnerships, and shared infrastructure.
“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,” Ekpo said.
The summit, organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, brought together stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the role of innovation and integration in shaping Africa’s gas future.
Ekpo described gas as Africa’s bridge fuel and a key driver for industrialisation, power generation, and emissions reduction, especially when replacing coal and biomass.
“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 said Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” initiative, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, demonstrated the country’s commitment to leveraging gas for economic transformation.
He noted that programmes such as the LPG Penetration Programme, domestic supply reforms, and major infrastructure investments, he noted, reflect the government’s strategy to use gas as a catalyst for prosperity.
How however, warned that Africa must go beyond mere talk to actualise its goals, saying, “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.”
In her welcome remarks, Chairperson of the SPE Nigeria Council, Engr. Amina Danmadami, said the summit was more than just a meeting, describing it as 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 added that AGIS 2025 would explore gas-to-power strategies, clean cooking solutions, regional integration, and digitalisation, all aimed at positioning Africa as a global gas powerhouse.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Ahmed Galadima Aminu, reaffirmed the Fund’s support for initiatives that build capacity and shape the future of 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.”he said.
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