Nigeria is joining forces with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar to develop a shared shipping network for liquefied natural gas (LNG), in a bid to boost Africa–Asia energy trade and strengthen regional cooperation.
The plan emerged from separate meetings held over the weekend between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and his counterparts — UAE’s Minister of Energy, Suhail Al Mazrouei, and Qatar’s Energy Minister and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi.
Stronger Energy Ties
Talks with the UAE focused on long-standing collaboration through OPEC and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). Both sides agreed on priorities such as stabilising global markets, securing investments, and pursuing fair energy transitions. They also discussed possible partnerships in LNG trading, cargo swaps, pipeline development, and gas infrastructure.
The discussions further highlighted decarbonisation efforts, including carbon capture projects, methane reduction, and the production of blue hydrogen as part of sustainable energy goals. Ekpo also extended an invitation to the UAE minister to visit Nigeria to deepen cooperation.
Qatar Talks: Building on Past Agreements
In Doha, Ekpo met with QatarEnergy’s leadership to explore ways to cut shipping costs through LNG cargo swaps and shared shipping routes between Africa and Asia. The talks also covered investments in floating LNG (FLNG), small-scale LNG projects, and Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative, which aims to industrialise the country and expand clean energy access by 2030.
This meeting builds on President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar in March 2024, where Nigeria secured major investment commitments. At that time, Tinubu urged investors to report any Nigerian officials demanding bribes, assuring them of direct access to his office and pledging to remove barriers to business.
Nigeria’s Push for Gas Growth
With abundant natural gas reserves, Nigeria is positioning itself as a key global player in LNG. By working with Qatar and the UAE — two of the world’s biggest gas exporters — the country hopes to unlock new trade opportunities, attract investment, and cement its role in Africa–Asia energy connectivity.
