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The GECF Hosts the 3rd Africa Day Workshop as Part of the GECF Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Highlighting Africa’s Energy Future

21 May 2026 |

The GECF Hosts the 3rd Africa Day Workshop as Part of the GECF Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Highlighting Africa’s Energy Future

21 May 2026 | Doha, Qatar — In celebration of Africa Day, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) hosted the 3rd Africa Day Workshop at the GECF Secretariat headquarters in Doha, Qatar, under the theme “Balancing Natural Gas Exports and Domestic Utilization in Africa.” The event also formed part of the GECF Silver Jubilee celebrations, marking the 25th Anniversary of the Forum.

The workshop was chaired by H.E. Ekperikpe Ekpo, President of the GECF Ministerial Meeting for 2026 and Honorable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of the GECF and H.E. Salah Attia, Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the State of Qatar and Vice President of the African Group of Ambassadors, who delivered opening remarks and celebrated the GECF silver jubilee.

The event brought together ambassadors, representatives and experts from GECF Member Countries and partner institutions, the African Energy Commission (AFREC), the African Energy Chamber (AEC), the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo emphasized the importance of Africa’s long-term vision for gas development, stressing natural gas policies for energy access, industrialization, sustainable development and the well-being of future generations. H.E. Dr. Philip Mshelbila highlighted Africa’s vast human potential, abundant natural resources, rapidly growing youthful population and the need to balance natural gas exports with the addition of value on the continent. H.E. Salah Attia noted that the workshop theme reflects Algeria’s national experience and the broader aspirations of the African continent. He highlighted Algeria’s longstanding role as natural gas producer and emphasized the potential contribution of the GECF GRI in advancing scientific research and technical cooperation within the gas industry.

The first session of the workshop focused feature presentations by Mr. Yagouba Traore, Head of Division – Policy Strategy and Support at AFREC and Dr. Grace Orife, Board Member of the African Energy Chamber. The second session showcased practical case studies from Egypt and Nigeria, that addressed the workshop theme.

In his closing remarks, H.E. Dr. Philip Mshelbila expressed his sincere appreciation to the Honorable Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo, President of the GECF Ministerial Meeting, as well as to all Ambassadors, presenters, esteemed delegates and participants.