The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has emphasised that shared gas infrastructure in Africa is vital to unlocking the continent’s industrial potential and securing its energy future. Speaking at the 2026 International Energy Week in London, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, described regional gas projects as strategic assets that could redefine Africa’s economic trajectory.
Ojulari identified the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline as a flagship project capable of driving regional integration and boosting cross-border energy trade. During a fireside chat with Andy Brown, Deputy Chair of Ørsted and President of the Energy Institute, he stressed that accelerating delivery of major regional pipelines—alongside the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline—would strengthen economic ties and enhance energy access across multiple African countries.
The Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline, a transcontinental project expected to stretch along the West African coast to North Africa and potentially Europe, is designed to connect Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to several African markets. When completed, it is projected to improve electricity generation, stimulate industrial activity, support fertiliser and petrochemical production, and enhance overall energy security in participating nations.
Beyond infrastructure, Ojulari called for harmonised regulatory and pricing frameworks across African markets to reduce investment barriers. He noted that aligned transit protocols, local content standards, and joint technical regulations would create a more investor-friendly environment. Drawing lessons from Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act, he argued that transparent policies are essential for safeguarding cross-border assets and ensuring equitable access to shared energy resources.
Nigeria holds over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves—the largest in Africa—yet domestic utilisation remains below capacity. Under its “Decade of Gas” strategy, the country aims to scale gas production as a backbone for industrialisation while aligning with global decarbonisation goals. Industry observers say the success of shared gas infrastructure in Africa will ultimately depend on sustained diplomacy, coordinated investment frameworks, and regulatory stability across participating nations.
source: punch