IGU President calls for accelerated Gas investment as Nigeria positions itself as Africa’s global Gas powerhouse

Delivering the keynote address earlier today at the 4th Gas Investment Forum held under the theme “Positioning Nigeria as Africa’s Global Gas Powerhouse”, Mr Andrea Stegher - the President of the International Gas Union (IGU), emphasised that growing global energy demand, energy security and the need for affordable, lower-carbon energy solutions make continued investment in Gas infrastructure essential.

Mr Stegher called for accelerated investment in natural gas and Gas infrastructure in Nigeria, highlighting the country’s potential to become a major Gas-driven powerhouse for Africa and an increasingly important contributor to global energy security.

“Your country’s resources have the potential to turn Nigeria into the Gas-driven powerhouse of Africa,” IGU’s President told the delegates present at the Forum, while stressing that the time to invest is now.

The address highlighted Nigeria as a clear example of what can be achieved when government and industry work together to develop natural resources, strengthen infrastructure and respond to changing energy and market dynamics. Nigeria’s Gas industry already serves a growing domestic population and is an established LNG supplier to international markets.

Mr Stegher also underlined the importance of policy certainty and closer cooperation between governments and industry, warning that policies should not create additional uncertainty or deter investment in Gas supply and its related infrastructure.

With global energy demand continuing to grow — including from emerging drivers such as artificial intelligence and data centres — Mr Stegher’s address reinforced IGU’s view that Gas will remain essential to a credible and sustainable energy future.

Furthermore, IGU’s President pointed to the industry’s continuing innovation, including digitalisation, artificial intelligence, emissions-reduction technologies, biomethane, hydrogen, e-methane and carbon capture, utilisation and storage, while stressing that these emerging solutions will complement rather than immediately replace natural gas.

“Gas is and will remain secure, dependable, cost-effective and, most importantly, essential in any future energy scenario,” Mr Stegher argued.