The Gas Exporting Countries Forum #GECF held a high-level side event during African Energy Week 2025 under the theme “Natural Gas for Africa’s Sustainable Development.” The workshop gathered ministers, policymakers, industry leaders, experts, and financial institutions to discuss how Africa can leverage its abundant natural gas resources to eradicate energy poverty, accelerate industrialisation, and pursue just, orderly, and equitable energy transitions that leave no one behind. The event was moderated by Mr Rafik Amara, Senior Gas Market Analyst at the GECF.
The opening session featured HE Ekperikpe Ekpo, Rt. Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources of Nigeria, and HE Cheikh Niane, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mining of Senegal. HE Ekpo underscored Nigeria’s ambition to strengthen regional gas interconnectivity and position the country as a hub for natural gas in West Africa. HE Niane affirmed Senegal’s view of natural gas as a primary enabler of sustainable development, noting that the GECF provides a vital platform for cooperation among exporting countries.
In his keynote address, HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the GECF, delivered a compelling message on Africa’s demographic transformation and energy future. “Africa, the cradle of humanity, is also the continent of the future. Today it is home to 1.4 billion people, and by mid-century, another one billion will be added. To transform this demographic dynamism into an economic dividend, Africa must unlock the full potential of its vast energy resources.”
Underscoring the scale of the challenge, he stressed: “More than 600 million Africans live without electricity and nearly one billion rely on traditional biomass for cooking. Energy poverty is one of the most severe barriers to health, education, and economic opportunity. Overcoming it is not only a development priority, it is a moral imperative.”
HE Hamel emphasised that natural gas must remain at the heart of Africa’s development vision. “With 8.8% of the world’s proven gas reserves, Africa is richly endowed. Gas is abundant, affordable, reliable, and versatile. It can generate power, drive industrialisation, support fertiliser production and food security, and complement renewables by ensuring stability of supply.” Looking ahead, he highlighted that Africa’s gas demand is expected to grow nearly three times faster than the global average, reaching close to 400 billion cubic metres by 2050 and requiring around one trillion US dollars of cumulative investment.
He also reaffirmed Africa’s centrality to the GECF. “Africa is indeed at the heart of the GECF family, with nine member countries already and more expected to join in the near future. The Republic of Congo and the Republic of Namibia have expressed their interest to join the Forum, which will make Africa the largest regional constituency of the GECF.”
Following his intervention, Mr NJ Ayuk, Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, delivered a keynote address in which he underscored the pivotal role of the GECF in facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise, thereby supporting informed decision-making across African countries. He further called for policies that prioritise affordability, access, and local value creation, stressing that natural gas can serve as a true game-changer for industrialisation and inclusive growth on the continent.
The second session featured technical presentations. Dr Amin Naderian, Head of the GECF’s Energy Economics and Forecasting Department, underlined that Africa requires both energy additionto meet the demands of its rapidly growing population, and energy transitions tailored to national circumstances and capabilities to enhance affordability, reliability, and sustainability. Eng. Khaled Abubakr, Vice President of the International Gas Union, showcased innovative technological solutions to overcome infrastructure bottlenecks, including decentralised options such as virtual pipelines, mini-LNG, mini-CNG, and LNG-to-power. Mr. Charles Nyirahuku, Chief Gas Officer at the African Development Bank, analysed financing challenges along the gas value chain, highlighting successful examples of local financing and stressing the need to dispel the outdated perception that investment in Africa is inherently risky.
The session concluded with a vibrant discussion, where senior experts and participants engaged actively with the audience, reflecting a shared urgency and commitment to unlock Africa’s natural gas potential for sustainable growth.
The workshop closed with a strong consensus that natural gas is pivotal for Africa’s development aspirations and essential to ensuring that its energy transition is just, orderly, equitable, and inclusive.