Nigeria has become a key partner in Kuwait’s drive to reduce its dependence on oil for electricity generation, supplying nearly a quarter of the Gulf nation’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports this year.

Kuwait, which has traditionally relied on crude oil, diesel, and fuel oil to meet soaring power demand, is stepping up its shift to cleaner alternatives. Data shows that Nigeria accounted for 24 percent of Kuwait’s LNG imports in 2025, placing it behind Qatar at 45 percent, while the United States contributed 11 percent.

For decades, oil has dominated Kuwait’s domestic energy use, often limiting the volume available for exports. But with electricity needs surging during the blistering summer months, the government has accelerated efforts to substitute oil with natural gas.

Figures from Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy reveal that liquid fuel consumption dropped 13 percent in the first eight months of 2025 compared to last year. Fuel oil use saw the steepest decline, offsetting small rises in crude and diesel use.

Even at the height of summer, liquid burn remained far below levels recorded in 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, natural gas usage climbed nearly 5 percent year-on-year, supported by stronger local production and higher LNG imports.

According to the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI), Kuwait’s gas output reached a record 2.07 billion cubic feet per day in June, with average production for the first half of 2025 standing at 1.95 billion cubic feet per day.

Nigeria’s growing role in this transition underscores its importance in the global gas trade, as more countries in the Middle East and beyond seek to diversify energy sources and embrace cleaner, more sustainable options.