At a conference in Accra, Ghana, global gas leaders emphasized the role of natural gas in Africa’s economic development, stressing regional integration and infrastructure needs to unlock the continent’s energy potential.
At the Africa Oil and Gas Conference (AOW2026) in Accra, Ghana, Mr. Andrea Stegher, President of the International Gas Union (IGU), and Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi, IGU’s Regional Coordinator for Africa, highlighted the critical role of natural gas in Africa’s economic and human development. Their remarks, delivered during a two-day event, underscored the need for stronger alignment between industrial players and policymakers to turn Africa’s gas resources into tangible projects. Africa’s LNG success should be measured not only by exports, but by the homes, factories, farms and businesses powered by African natural gas,
Nwokedi said, emphasizing the importance of regional integration and infrastructure.
Gas as a Catalyst for Regional Integration
During the conference, Nwokedi’s presentation, titled Regional Integration as the Catalyst for Africa’s LNG Future: Building Connected Markets, Energy Security, and Shared Prosperity,
focused on connecting markets, infrastructure, and policies to mobilize capital and drive energy security. He argued that Africa’s vast gas reserves alone would not secure its LNG future without deeper regional cooperation. Greater regional integration—connecting markets, infrastructure and policies, while mobilising capital—is essential to turn natural gas into a driver of energy security, industrial growth and shared prosperity,
he stated.
Mr. Stegher, in a fireside chat titled Powering Africa’s Future – Gas, Energy Security & the New Geo-Economics,
reiterated the need for collaboration. He noted that while gas resources are being developed across the continent, alignment among stakeholders is key to transforming the vision into reality. A stronger alignment across industrial players and policy makers is happening, paving the way to transform Africa’s Gas vision into projects’ reality,
he said.
Infrastructure and Investment Challenges
Ms. Judith Blay, CEO of the Ghana National Gas Company, emphasized the importance of supporting local institutions to ensure energy security.
Global Perspectives and Future Outlook
Mr. Stegher also met with GNPC officials, including Mr. Hamis Ussif, Deputy CEO, to discuss progress in Ghana’s gas industry. He reiterated the IGU’s commitment to engaging with stakeholders to enhance the role of gas in Africa’s energy evolution. The IGU’s President reinforced the progress made by the Ghanaian Gas industry to further the Gas developments in the country and across the region,
the source noted.
