In celebration of Africa’s Energy Future, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) hosted its 2nd Africa Day Workshop under the theme “Natural Gas for Africa’s Sustainable Development” at the GECF Headquarters in Doha, Qatar. The workshop served as a platform to reflect on Africa’s energy opportunities, and to support the continent’s energy and development ambitions through knowledge sharing, cooperation and shared solutions.
Chaired by HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the GECF, the event welcomed distinguished guests of honour including Mr Khalid Jerbi, Executive Board Member of Libya, on behalf of HE Dr Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, Minister of Oil and Gas of the State of Libya and the President of the GECF Ministerial Meeting for 2025, HE Sheikh Dr. Mishal bin Jabor Al Thani, GECF Executive Board Member for the State of Qatar; HE Ghulam Hoosein Asmal, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the State of Qatar, who delivered remarks on behalf of HE Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy of the Republic of South Africa; and HE Rashid Ali Abdallah, Executive Director of the African Energy Commission (AFREC), also addressed the gathering.
Participants included distinguished ambassadors and senior representatives from GECF member countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Angola, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Peru, Senegal, and the GECF dialogue partner country South Africa, as well as officials from African Energy Commission (AFREC), the International Gas Union (IGU), the African Energy Chamber (AEC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) and prominent managers and experts from the GECF member countries.
In his opening address, HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel offered a compelling call to action, reminding the audience that “ Africa—the cradle of humanity—now stands ready to shape its own destiny, not as a continent left behind, but as one leading the way forward, with its youthful and growing population, rich cultural heritage, and vast economic potential.” He noted the symbolic importance of Africa Day, tracing its roots to the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity, and underlined the GECF’s pride in counting nine African member countries, with three new African additions, Mozambique, Mauritania, and Senegal, joining since 2022.
He outlined the continent’s demographic trajectory, stating that by 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African, and more than 75% of Africa’s population will be under 35. With rising energy demand, this demographic boom necessitates a massive scale-up in energy access and infrastructure. According to the GECF Global Gas Outlook, Africa’s natural gas demand is expected to more than double, from 170 bcm in 2023 to nearly 400 bcm by 2050.
HE Hamel called for reducing the cost of capital, de-risking investments, and creating enabling regulatory frameworks to mobilise the substantial investment required to unlock Africa’s gas potential.
In his opening remarks, Mr Khaled Jerbi underscored that ensuring universal access to natural gas is not only an economic necessity, but a moral imperative, a decisive step toward lifting millions out of poverty and empowering communities across the continent. He also highlighted the vital role of the GECF as a platform for cooperation, stating: “The GECF continues to serve as a dynamic platform for collaboration, enabling Member Countries to unite efforts, exchange knowledge, and harmonise strategies to shape the future of natural gas markets.”
HE Sheikh Dr Mishal bin Jabor Al Thani stressed that Africa’s growing energy demand, driven by rapid urbanisation and improved living standards, presents not a challenge, but “an extraordinary opportunity to alleviate energy poverty and reinforce long-term sustainability.” He highlighted natural gas as a central pillar in achieving this vision, powering grids, industries, agriculture, and clean cooking solutions across the continent. Dr Mishal reiterated Qatar’s commitment: “We stand ready to work hand in hand with our African partners, through investment, exchange of best practices, and capacity-building, to ensure this potential translates into lasting progress.” He called for investing not only in the natural gas sector, but in human capital and institutions, and welcomed Africa’s leadership through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area and African Union Agenda 2063.
Session one of the workshop, covering policy, technology and finance aspects of natural gas infrastructure in Africa, opened with Dr Amin Naderian, Head of Energy Economics and Forecasting at the GECF, who presented “Natural Gas Infrastructure for Africa’s Prosperity.” His remarks set the scene with an overview of regional trends and projections. The session featured Eng. Khaled Abubakr, Vice President of the International Gas Union (IGU), who highlighted innovations in gas transportation and the deployment of small-scale LNG solutions. Mr. Fred Kabanda, Oil, Gas and Mining Manager at AfDB, outlined innovative and low-cost financing mechanisms for capital-intensive infrastructural projects in the natural gas industry in Africa. Mr Felix Bob Ocitti from AFREC who addressed regulatory challenges and regional policy integration to support further development of the natural gas industry in Africa.
The second session showcased impactful case studies: Algeria’s model for gas infrastructure integration, Nigeria’s off-grid solutions using small-scale LNG, and South Africa’s LNG-to-power strategies to enhance electricity supply reliability. These case studies demonstrated how natural gas can strengthen energy security and expand access to affordable energy in Africa, even in areas with limited infrastructure, through interconnected gas networks and innovative off-grid business models within the natural gas industry.
In his closing remarks, HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel praised the dynamic exchange of perspectives and reaffirmed the GECF’s steadfast support for Africa Day as a platform to foster intra-African dialogue on energy cooperation. He extended his congratulations to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the Republic of Senegal on their milestone achievements as new LNG-exporting nations. HE Hamel also acknowledged the Republic of South Africa’s pivotal role as the current President of the G20 and expressed gratitude for inviting the GECF to contribute to the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group meetings.