Nigeria Seeks New Balance Between Gas Exports & Local Growth
By UWAKMFON DAN
Nigeria Advocates Strategic Gas Utilisation Across Africa
Ekpo Calls For Balanced Energy Policy
NIGERIA’S Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged African nations to adopt a strategic balance between natural gas exports and domestic utilisation in order to drive sustainable economic growth across the continent.
Ekpo made the call during the 3rd GECF Africa Day Workshop held in Doha, Qatar, as part of activities marking the 63rd anniversary of Africa Day and the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
The minister, who currently serves as President of the 2026 Ministerial Meeting of the GECF, stressed that Africa’s energy future depends not only on exporting gas to international markets but also on using the resource to strengthen local economies and industrial capacity.
Exports Alone Cannot Transform Africa
Speaking at the event, Ekpo described the challenge of balancing exports with domestic gas consumption as a broader developmental issue rather than merely an energy concern.
According to him, while gas exports remain important for generating foreign exchange earnings and attracting international investment, African countries must avoid becoming resource-rich economies with weak domestic infrastructure and poor industrial output.
“Exports can provide revenues, scale and investor confidence. Domestic utilisation can deliver the development multiplier. Together, they can turn natural gas from a source of fiscal income into a driver of structural transformation,” he stated.
The minister warned that exporting large volumes of gas without simultaneously investing in local power generation, manufacturing and infrastructure development could leave many African countries battling persistent electricity shortages, unemployment and slow industrialisation despite earning export revenues.
Focus On Industrialisation And Energy Access
Ekpo highlighted several areas where domestic gas utilisation could significantly impact development across Africa.
He identified power generation, fertiliser production, clean cooking initiatives and industrial manufacturing as critical sectors capable of benefiting from expanded domestic gas supply.
Analysts at the workshop noted that many African nations continue to face energy poverty despite possessing vast natural gas reserves, raising questions about how resource wealth can translate into broad-based economic development.
The minister further argued that improved domestic gas infrastructure could support job creation, stimulate local industries and reduce dependence on imported energy products.
Regional Cooperation Key To Success
Ekpo also emphasised the importance of regional collaboration and private sector participation in achieving Africa’s long-term gas development objectives.
According to him, governments alone cannot finance the scale of infrastructure needed to unlock the continent’s gas potential.
He assured participants that the GECF would continue supporting member states through technical cooperation, policy coordination and evidence-based research aimed at improving both export competitiveness and domestic energy access.
The workshop attracted several high-profile dignitaries, including the Secretary-General of the GECF, Philip Mshelbila, and Algeria’s Ambassador to Qatar, Salah Attia.
The event also featured the ceremonial cutting of the GECF Silver Jubilee cake as the organisation marked 25 years of operation in the global gas sector.
