Africa’s natural gas sector is entering a decisive growth phase, with total output expected to reach 331 billion cubic meters by the end of 2025. The surge is being driven by strong production and resource availability in Algeria, Nigeria, and Egypt, positioning gas as a central pillar of the continent’s energy future.
The projection was outlined by NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber, in an opinion article examining the role of natural gas and liquefied natural gas in advancing Africa’s energy security. According to the analysis, natural gas already supplies about 40 percent of Africa’s electricity, with North Africa accounting for roughly 32 percent of that share.
Looking ahead, gas-fired power capacity across the continent could expand by more than 77 gigawatts by 2050. Despite rapid growth in renewables, gas is expected to retain a stable share of around 40 percent in Africa’s energy mix. This balance highlights gas’s role as a transition fuel, supporting solar and wind generation when intermittent supply creates gaps in power availability.
Several African countries are now embedding gas-to-power strategies into national energy plans. Nigeria has placed gas at the center of its long-term power strategy, while South Africa is prioritising gas-fired electricity as it gradually retires coal plants. Senegal plans to install up to 3 gigawatts of gas-to-power capacity by 2050, with Ghana and Tanzania pursuing similar ambitions.
Ayuk noted that while challenges remain, including infrastructure shortfalls, import exposure, and environmental concerns, targeted investment can address these barriers. Regional power pools are also strengthening the case for gas by allowing countries to share electricity across interconnected grids, improving stability and efficiency.
He added that Africa is increasingly recognising the strategic value of its gas reserves, not just as export commodities but as tools for domestic industrialisation and energy independence. The African Energy Chamber’s State of African Energy: 2026 Outlook Report highlights a clear shift among gas-producing nations toward building gas-focused domestic markets.
According to Ayuk, this transition is not speculative but essential. He argues that developing local gas economies will allow African nations to fully benefit from their fossil fuel resources, enhance self-reliance, and follow a development path similar to that taken by industrialised economies during their own growth phases.
