Natural Gas and Africa’s Energy Future: Balancing Growth and Sustainability (By Adrian Strydom)

EQS-News: South African Oil and Gas Alliance / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Natural Gas and Africa’s Energy Future: Balancing Growth and Sustainability (By Adrian Strydom) 06.06.2025 / 10:00 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Natural Gas and Africa’s Energy Future: Balancing Growth and Sustainability (By Adrian Strydom)

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 6, 2025/APO Group/ – By Adrian Strydom, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Oil and Gas Alliance (www.SAOGA.org.za)

Africa is at a turning point in its energy journey. As cities expand and industries grow, the demand for electricity is rising fast. By 2040, Africa will need nearly 1,200 gigawatts of power, yet 600 million (https://apo-opa.co/4dU9Y0u) people still lack electricity, holding back development, healthcare, and education.

This creates a major challenge: How can Africa expand energy access without locking itself into high-emission fuels? The solution must balance affordability, sustainability, and reliability. While solar and wind power are critical, most countries lack the infrastructure to rely on them alone. Grids must remain stable, industries need steady energy, and cross-border trade requires a consistent supply. Natural gas plays a vital role in this—acting as a bridge to cleaner energy while meeting urgent electricity needs. 

Africa houses about 7% (https://apo-opa.co/4dLL1UK) of the world’s proven natural gas reserves, and production has increased by over 70% since 2000, with forecasts predicting 520 billion (https://apo-opa.co/4dLL1UK) cubic meters by 2050. 

Several African countries are already benefiting from utilising natural gas reserves.  

Nigeria, Africa’s largest gas producer, has over 200 tcf of reserves, supporting millions of jobs across extraction, processing, and transportation. The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project in Senegal and Mauritania is attracting billions in investment, strengthening energy security. South Africa, facing a “gas cliff” due to declining imports, is exploring its local reserves to protect industrial growth. Mozambique’s Coral Sul floating LNG platform has already started production, with revenue projections reaching around $70 million annually between 2025 and 2027. Meanwhile, the Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG projects hold immense potential, boasting over 100 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas, though they remain in early development stages.