Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has called on African countries to move beyond their role as exporters of raw materials and become major players in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.
Speaking at the Africa Energy Week in South Africa, the company’s Deputy Managing Director, Olakunle Osobu, said Africa must take an active role in shaping the future of global energy — particularly in ensuring security, affordability, and sustainability.
“Africa is not just a participant but a key pillar in the global energy system,” Osobu said during his keynote address titled “The Role of African LNG in a Dynamic Export Market.”
According to him, Africa holds over 850 trillion cubic feet of natural gas — about six percent of global reserves — giving the continent the potential to double its share in the global LNG market within the next decade.
Osobu highlighted Nigeria’s leading position in LNG development, noting that the ongoing Train 7 project will boost NLNG’s production capacity from 22 million to 30 million tonnes per annum. He said this expansion reflects the country’s commitment to powering both domestic industries and international markets.
“Our goal is to prove that Africa can produce LNG that is reliable, competitive, and environmentally responsible,” he said.
He also projected that Africa’s LNG output could grow from around 70 million tonnes per annum to 120 million by 2035, thanks to new projects emerging across the continent.
Osobu acknowledged Africa’s geographical advantage of shorter shipping routes to Europe and Asia but cautioned that the region must address key challenges such as financing, competitiveness, and sustainability.
He pointed out that leading producers like Qatar and the United States are aggressively expanding their LNG capacity, while investors are now prioritising low-carbon and decarbonised projects.
To stay competitive, he urged African nations to develop strategies that balance global supply reliability with domestic industrial growth and environmental responsibility.
“Our LNG development must serve dual purposes — driving African industrialisation and aligning with global decarbonisation goals,” Osobu concluded.
