At the OTL Africa 2024 Downstream Energy Week, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced its initiative to develop a uniform gas transportation code across West and North Africa.
This move aims to streamline natural gas production and movement across the continent, marking a significant milestone in regional energy collaboration.
Farouk Ahmed, NMDPRA’s Chief Executive Officer, shared the plans during the conference’s opening keynote, emphasising the need for a coordinated gas framework given the anticipated West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) expansion to Morocco. This expanded pipeline infrastructure will allow more efficient gas transport within Africa, fostering economic growth and energy accessibility.
Ahmed also highlighted progress on the Africa Energy Bank, which aims to support energy infrastructure financing across the continent. The bank’s creation represents a historic collaboration and is expected to accelerate Africa’s sustainable energy transition.
“The Africa Energy Bank is a major collaborative success that will assist the continent in its journey towards sustainable and just energy transition,” Ahmed noted.
The Executive Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Lagos State Energy Commissioner Biodun Ogunleye, stressed that energy transition goes beyond switching fuel sources and requires building an integrated energy ecosystem.
“Lagos State is committed to fostering a value chain that supports energy reforms and sustainability, driven by private sector operators and innovative young entrepreneurs,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, represented by Mrs. Eriye Onagoruwa, underlined the administration’s commitment to clean energy by encouraging LNG and CNG adoption and investing over $75 million in CNG systems to support greener energy. She also announced incentives promoting electric vehicles and affordable clean cooking options, signaling a shift towards sustainable energy consumption.
During the event’s panel discussions, African energy leaders, including DAPPMAN Chair Dame Winifred Akpani and Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority CEO Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, called for an African currency to reduce dependency on the dollar for petroleum trades.
They also advocated for a harmonized fuel specification across the continent, strategic partnerships to align Africa’s energy resources, and enhanced pipeline security to support downstream energy operations.
