Segun Atanda/
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has spotlighted Nigeria as the anchor of Africa’s energy transformation, revealing that the country has secured $18.2 billion in new oil and gas investment commitments in 2025 alone, a strong signal of investor confidence in Nigeria’s expanding gas industry and its enabling policy environment.
At the Gas Investment Forum held in Lagos from October 7–8, 2025, Dr. Grace Orife, AEC Board Advisory Member, described gas as the cornerstone of Africa’s industrial renaissance and the driving force behind inclusive, sustainable growth across the continent.
“Gas is not merely a transition fuel; it is the cornerstone of Africa’s industrial renaissance,” Dr. Orife said. “It powers our factories, provides feedstock for fertilizer production, supports power generation, and creates jobs across the value chain.”
Commending the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative—launched in 2021 to harness over 210 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven gas reserves, Dr. Orife noted that Nigeria is leading Africa’s march toward energy security and economic diversification.
She highlighted landmark infrastructure projects including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) and Obiafu–Obrikom–Oben (OB3) pipelines, the NLNG Train 7 expansion, and private-led ventures such as the Assa North–Ohaji South Joint Venture (NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company and Seplat Energy) and the Ubeta Gas Development Project by NNPC and TotalEnergies.
“These projects illustrate Nigeria’s commitment to unlocking its vast gas potential, attracting capital, and delivering energy that powers industry, agriculture, and manufacturing,” she said.
The AEC also applauded Nigeria’s leadership in low-carbon gas development through initiatives like the UTM Offshore Floating LNG facility, the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialization Program, and the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Project.
Regionally, Nigeria’s gas diplomacy extends through strategic cross-border projects, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, and the West African Gas Pipeline Expansion, designed to deepen continental energy integration and access.
With over 600 million Africans still without electricity and 900 million lacking clean cooking solutions, the continent’s estimated 620 tcf of gas resources, led by Nigeria’s reserves, are pivotal to achieving universal access and industrial progress.
Dr. Orife stressed that realizing the full promise of gas-led growth requires strong policy alignment, infrastructure financing, and global partnerships.
“Realizing this promise demands bold investment and deliberate execution – from unlocking reserves and expanding infrastructure to integrating midstream and downstream value chains,” she said.
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