The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called on African Countries to adopt a more strategic approach to natural gas utilisation.
Ekpo, who doubles as the President of the 2026 Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), warned that prioritising gas exports over domestic development risks leaving the continent with persistent energy shortages and stunted industrialisation despite strong export revenues.
Speaking at the 3rd GECF Africa Day Workshop in Doha, Qatar, Ekpo urged African gas producing nations to strike a deliberate balance between natural gas exports and domestic development, noting that while exports assure investor confidence and fiscal returns, it is domestic utilisation that delivers the real development multiplier needed for long-term transformation.
“Exporting gas without simultaneously building domestic capacity could leave African nations with persistent energy shortages, weak industrialisation and limited economic impact despite strong export earnings,” he stressed.
His remarks reflect growing concern with the global gas community that Africa, home to some of the world’s largest proven natural gas reserves, has yet to fully harness its energy resources for internal economic growth.
Many gas rich African nations continue to export the bulk of their output while millions of citizens and industries remain without reliable energy access.
Ekpo reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to supporting member states in achieving this strategic balance, pointing to technical cooperation, evidence-based-policy analysis, and practical cross-country collaboration as key instruments through which the GECF would continue to engage with African Governments and stakeholders.
The GECF African Day Workshop serves as a platform for dialogue on how African gas producing countries can optimise the development impact of their natural resources.
