NLNG Pushes for Africans to Secure Energy Future
The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has called on African nations to move beyond being raw material suppliers and take their rightful place as strategic players in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market.
Delivering a keynote address titled “The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market” at the Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2025 in South Africa, NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, Olakunle Osobu, said Africa must be an active voice in global conversations on energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
According to a statement by NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, Osobu emphasized that with over 850 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves — representing about six percent of total global reserves — Africa has the resources, positioning, and ambition to double its share of the global LNG market within the next decade.
Highlighting Nigeria’s leadership role as the continent’s LNG pioneer, Osobu pointed to the company’s ongoing Train 7 expansion project, which will boost NLNG’s production capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 30 MTPA, as a clear demonstration of sustained commitment to growth.
“Our investment in expansion shows that Nigeria is driving LNG growth not only for exports but also to support domestic industries and expand energy access,” Osobu said. “We must prove that Africa can deliver LNG that is secure, competitive, and sustainable.”
He noted that emerging LNG frontiers across the continent collectively represent more than 45 MTPA of potential new supply. With these additions, Africa’s total LNG output could grow from around 70 MTPA today to 120 MTPA by 2035, positioning the continent as a major global LNG hub.
Osobu also underscored Africa’s geographical advantage, with shorter shipping routes to both Europe and Asia, but cautioned that competitiveness, financing, and domestic responsibility remain key challenges. He warned that while the U.S. and Qatar are rapidly expanding their LNG capacities, global financiers are increasingly demanding low-carbon and decarbonised LNG projects.
He urged African nations to ensure that the continent’s LNG development not only fuels the world but also drives local industrialisation and demonstrates environmental responsibility aligned with global decarbonisation goals.
Organised by the African Energy Chamber, Africa Energy Week 2025 convened policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to chart strategies for Africa’s sustainable energy future.
