Energy experts, government officials, and media professionals have reaffirmed the potential of natural gas as Africa’s transformational fuel at the second edition of Sahara Group’s thought leadership forum, Asharami Square, held in Lagos on Thursday.
The high-level gathering, themed around bridging energy access and driving industrialisation, highlighted natural gas as a critical bridge between Africa’s current energy needs and its long-term renewable transition goals. Stakeholders also emphasized the need for $100 billion in annual investments in energy infrastructure to close Africa’s widening energy gap.
In a keynote speech delivered on behalf of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, his Senior Technical Adviser, Mr. Abel Nsa, lamented the mismatch between Africa’s natural gas reserves and its low consumption levels.
“Despite holding over 7% of global natural gas reserves, Africa consumes less than 5% of global gas output,” Ekpo noted, referencing data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). He called for urgent investments in pipelines, virtual distribution systems, and financing models to unlock the continent’s gas potential.
According to him, “Natural gas is not merely a transitional fuel. It is a transformational fuel. It can power our industries, energize our homes, reduce dependence on more polluting fuels, and drive inclusive economic growth.”
Mr. Frank Mmamelu of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), representing Dr. Justice Derefaka, reiterated gas’ socio-economic value. He stressed the importance of building local capacity along the gas value chain and reducing the export of raw natural resources to accelerate development.
Dr. Adeola Yusuf, a seasoned energy communications expert, called on the media to take a more central role in energy discourse. He emphasized the need for access to data and factual reporting to support accountability, drive transparency, and eliminate greenwashing.
Ejiro Gray, Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, underscored the importance of contextualizing sustainability within Africa’s developmental challenges. She noted that while the global agenda focuses on net-zero emissions, African countries must prioritize energy access, equity, and economic inclusion—areas where gas can play a transformative role.
Gray also cited Sahara Group’s gas infrastructure investments across Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania as examples of private sector efforts to boost regional energy trade and improve access.
Highlighting the media’s role in shaping narratives, Bethel Obioma, Sahara Group’s Head of Corporate Communications, presented the Asharami Awards for Outstanding Sustainability Reporting to Vanguard Online, Punch, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, and Arise News. He emphasized the importance of accurate, insightful reporting to amplify Africa’s energy and sustainability stories.
“Asharami Square is our platform to advance dialogue and ensure Africa’s energy transition is not misrepresented or left behind,” Obioma said.
Other industry voices at the forum included Ijeoma Isichei (Sahara Group), Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel (Asharami Energy), Olurotimi Famoroti (First Independent Power Limited), and Mobolaji Sunmoni, a senior infrastructure finance expert. Panelists provided cross-sector insights on aligning policy with private investment and unlocking the continent’s gas potential.
Asharami Square 3.0 is scheduled for 2026, as Sahara Group nears three decades of championing responsible energy access across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.