NNPCL Spearheads African Gas Network Expansion, Reveals Mele Kyari

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), is set to establish a regional gas pipeline network aimed at supplying natural gas across Africa.

This revelation was made by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.

Kyari recently participated in a Regional CEO Panel organized by McKinsey & Company at the COP28 Conference in Dubai on Monday.

The group CEO further emphasized the company’s pivotal role in enhancing Africa’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply to foreign markets.

Safe to mention that abundant natural gas reserves currently stands at 206 trillion cubic feet with the potential to reach 600 tcf.

Nigeria is, therefore, strategically utilizing gas to propel its journey toward energy transition.

Kyari highlighted NNPCL’s commitment to eliminating gas flares in its gas projects, redirecting the recovered gas to develop power plants nationwide.

Further, this initiative is anticipated to bolster electricity supply across the nation.

Also, generate employment opportunities, and stimulate industrial and economic development.

Under Nigeria’s ambitious Decade of Gas initiative, the country aims to transform into a gas-based economy by leveraging gas for;

• Power generation
• Automobile use
• Industrial applications
• Clean cooking

NNPCL Gas Network: Nigeria/ Africa’s Energy Transition

During the presentation, Kyari underscored the significance of a just and differentiated energy transition for Africa, considering its unique circumstances.

He pointed out that 75% of Africa’s population currently lacks access to electricity, relying on biomass as a primary energy source.

In his words;

I have always advocated for a differentiated and just energy transition. In Africa, we have different circumstances compared to other places in the world. 

In Africa today, 75% of our population doesn’t have access to electricity, leaving us with biomass as a key energy source. The world needs to recognise that the most practicable thing today is to substitute what we have in the short term to close the energy gap for our rising population.

Mele Kyari

Conclusively, Kyari urged the global community to recognize the practical need to address the energy gap for the rising population in the short term.

This is imperative as Nigeria positions itself to be among the top 10 global economies by 2035.

He called for international collaboration to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

In a significant move towards a net-zero future, NNPCL recently joined the United Nations Global Compact in New York.

This has made the NNPCL the first state-owned oil company to participate in the global initiative.