Nigeria Targets 70% of Africa's Gas Demand with Ambitious Output Plans

Nigeria is aiming to become a major player in Africa's gas market by increasing its production to meet up to 70% of the continent's demand.

The country has an estimated 215 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas reserves, which it plans to tap into to address energy poverty across Africa.

Nigeria currently produces about 8 billion cubic feet of gas daily, but this is a small fraction of its vast reserves. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission's Chief Executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said that doubling or tripling the country's current gas production could enable it to supply up to 70% of Africa's gas demand.

Eyesan highlighted that achieving this target would require increased investment, commercially viable gas pricing, and expanded infrastructure. She also noted that the Federal Government has introduced incentives to attract investments into the sector, while the NUPRC has continued to make oil and gas assets available through regular licensing rounds.