Energy Crisis: ‘Africa Must Stop Relying On Developed Countries To Grow Domestic Oil & Gas Sector’

In a renewed call to tackle the continent’s energy crisis, stakeholders have urged African governments to stop relying on developed countries for the development of local oil and gas industries, saying this will accelerate energy transition and economic independence across Africa.

This message was central to discussions at the 2nd Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS), hosted in Abuja on Wednesday by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Nigeria Council, on the theme: “Building a Resilient African Gas Economy Through Innovation and Collaboration.”

Speaking at the event, secretary general of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Farouq Ibrahim, emphasised that Africa holds over 600 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, the continent operates just over 30,000 km of gas transmission pipelines — most of which are concentrated in North Africa. In contrast, Europe, which is just a third the size of Africa, operates over 227,000 km of pipelines.

“Africa has about 24,000 km of gas pipelines in development,” he said. “But less than 10 per cent of that figure is under active construction. Out of the estimated $89 billion in capital required, only $4 billion is currently committed to ongoing projects. The remaining $85 billion is tied to proposals with uncertain timelines. This is a severe bottleneck that demands urgent action.”

Dr. Ibrahim noted that infrastructure investment must be priorised if Africa is truly committed to building a resilient gas economy.

He also called for unity in research and development efforts, warning against the current practice where each country operates in isolation.

“Africa needs to take its destiny into its own hands. The current approach — with countries pursuing industrial technology acquisition and capacity development in silos — has failed. And the developed nations we depend on are already abandoning fossil fuels. If we do not take over, we risk being left behind with stranded assets and wasted resources,” he warned.

On infrastructure, he stressed that APPO understands the key to unlocking energy markets lies in building pipelines and networks. He cited APPO’s partnership with the Central African Business Energy Forum (CABEF) to develop a comprehensive gas and oil pipeline network linking 11 Central African countries.

“Pan-African strategies have already addressed three critical challenges: funding oil and gas projects locally, reducing dependence on foreign technology and expertise, and creating sustainable energy markets. These models must be adopted continent-wide,” Dr. Ibrahim said.

He concluded by emphasising that natural gas remains the future for Africa, calling it a critical transition fuel that can expand electricity access, support industrialisation, and reduce carbon emissions.

On his part, minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, noted that Africa is blessed with abundant natural gas, yet continues to face challenges such as infrastructure deficits, financing limitations, policy disunity, and unequal energy access.

“Africa must define its own path, one that is just, equitable, and context-specific,” he said. “Natural gas is our bridge fuel. It enables us to expand electricity, fuel industries, and reduce emissions, especially where it replaces coal or biomass.”

Dr. Ekpo cited Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative, part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as a national blueprint to unlock gas potential for power, transportation, cooking, and industrial growth.

“In the last year, we’ve made progress on infrastructure projects, expanded the LPG Penetration Programme, and deepened domestic gas reforms. But national efforts are not enough — we must work together as a continent.”

He attributes the need for cross-border cooperation, shared regulatory frameworks, and joint financing platforms.

“From the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline to the Trans-Saharan and West African gas ventures — these are not just pipelines, they are economic lifelines. We must de-risk them through investor-friendly policies and stronger political will,” he said.

The minister also called for innovation as the heartbeat of sustainability, urging support for home-grown technologies, research into low-carbon energy solutions, and youth-focused capacity building, he concluded.”

Meanwhile, the council chairperson, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigerian   Dr Amina Danmadami, said, this summit is not just an event; it is a call to action—a strategic

only profitable,  inclusive, technologically advanced, potential of Africa’s gas resources environmentally responsible, and resilient to global shocks.

She concluded by saying,  “Africa’s gas sector is at a defining moment; we must possess abundant reserves, markets, underinvestment, and policy uncertainties. The solution lies in

yet we must overcome legacy challenges: infrastructure gaps, fragmented  innovation and collaboration.’