The Managing Director and CEO of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Philip Mshelbila, has underscored the urgent need to replace high-emission fuels such as biomass with cleaner alternatives like natural gas to drive Africa’s energy transition.
Speaking during a panel session on “Diversity of Gas Development Globally” at the 29th World Gas Conference in Beijing, China, Dr.Mshelbila emphasized that availability and affordability are key to achieving widespread energy access on the continent. He noted that a significant portion of Africa’s 1.4 billion population still relies on biomass for cooking and diesel for power generation, stressing that natural gas presents a viable opportunity to bridge this energy gap particularly as the population is projected to reach 2.5 billion in the next 25 years.
He highlighted Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative as a roadmap for replacing dirtier fuels with cleaner alternatives, noting that while gas exports have been prioritized, domestic use has lagged. The initiative aims to boost local utilization by addressing infrastructure, policy gaps, and commercial frameworks. Dr. Mshelbila urged African nations to adopt localized energy solutions and invest in infrastructure and innovation to unlock the full potential of natural gas.