Gas Declared as Transformational Fuel for Africa at Asharami Square 2.0
Energy experts, government officials, and media leaders have unanimously declared natural gas as Africa’s transformational fuel of the future during the second edition of Asharami Square, Sahara Group’s flagship thought leadership event held in Lagos.
Themed around energy access, transition, and sustainability, Asharami Square 2.0 spotlighted the strategic role of gas in addressing Africa’s pressing energy needs while also accelerating industrialisation across the continent. The forum emphasized gas as the essential bridge between conventional energy access and a renewable future.
Delivering a keynote on behalf of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Mr. Abel Nsa, his Senior Technical Adviser, called attention to Africa’s underutilisation of its natural gas reserves.
“Africa holds over 7% of global natural gas reserves, yet consumes less than 5% of global gas output,” Ekpo stated. “This disconnect reflects the energy paradox that must be urgently addressed if the continent is to unlock its full economic potential.”
Ekpo praised Sahara Group for creating Asharami Square as a platform to bridge the gap between knowledge and action. He urged bold investments in gas infrastructure, including pipelines, virtual pipeline systems for remote communities, and financing models that reduce risks for private-sector investors.
“Natural gas is not just a transitional fuel—it is a transformational fuel. It can drive inclusive economic growth, reduce pollution, and transform our energy landscape,” he added.
Representing NUIMS at the event, Mr. Frank Mmamelu reiterated gas as a socio-economic game-changer. Speaking on behalf of Dr. Justice Derefaka, he noted that gas can lift millions out of poverty by enhancing agriculture, expanding clean energy access, and empowering women and underserved populations. He advocated for building local capacity and prioritising value-added processing over raw exports.
Media expert Dr. Adeola Yusuf challenged the energy sector to include the media as a strategic partner in the sustainability conversation. He urged both government and private stakeholders to share data transparently to enable accurate, fact-based energy reporting.
Ejiro Gray, Sahara Group’s Director of Governance and Sustainability, emphasized the need to contextualize Africa’s energy transition within its development realities. She highlighted Sahara’s gas infrastructure investments in countries like Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, and Tanzania, aimed at boosting regional energy access and trade.
During the forum, Sahara Group presented the Asharami Awards for Outstanding Sustainability Reporting to Vanguard Online, Punch Newspapers, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, and Arise News, recognising their contribution to shaping informed energy narratives.
Bethel Obioma, Sahara Group’s Head of Corporate Communications, said: “Asharami Square is our way of driving understanding around Africa’s sustainability goals and ensuring that the continent’s voice is not lost in global conversations.”
Other speakers at the forum included Ijeoma Isichei of Sahara Group, Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel of Asharami Energy, Olurotimi Famoroti of First Independent Power Limited, and infrastructure finance expert Mobolaji Sunmoni.
Asharami Square 3.0 is expected to take place in 2026 as Sahara Group marks nearly 30 years of impact across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
