As valuable as gas is for Africa, its potential to spur industrialization, create jobs, and support the energy transition, is yet to be fully exploited. Considering growing appetite for investments into African gas markets, AOW 2023 is organizing a high-level discussion on Monetising Africa’s Gas in the Next 7-10 Years. 

The panel will be moderated by Charles Nyirahuku, Chief Gas Officer at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and include Roger Brown, CEO of Seplat Energy; Unni Fjaer, Vice President and Country Manager for Tanzania at Equinor; Eberechukwu Oji, CEO of ND-Western, Dele Kuti, Global Head of Energy and Infrastructure at Standard Bank Group, and Giorgio Vicini, Country Manager for Eni in Mozambique and Managing Director of Eni Rovuma Basin.

Despite holding over 8% of the world’s proven reserves of natural gas, Africa is yet to fully benefit from its natural resources, especially when it comes to providing cheaper and cleaner energy to its industries. Gas has so far remained largely reserved for lucrative exports – leaving domestic markets under-developed and under-served. 

As Africa seek to grow gas penetration at home, it is faced with several challenges in the expansion of its gas infrastructure and gas value-chain. The panel will address some of these key issues, including how to aggregate demand, unlock capital, promote regionalisation and building more efficient electricity markets. 

On the other side, the continent is also seeking to consolidate its market share in the export market and make the best of current market demand to generate revenues. Several new export facilities are coming online, including in Mozambique, Congo, and Mauritania/Senegal while a new terminal is being planned in Tanzania. 

The diversity of the speakers, including renowned executives from Nigeria, Tanzania, and Mozambique, will bring a diversity of input and opinions to share experience and ideas on what business models work and how to balance export revenues with domestic aspirations. 

About Africa Oil Week

Africa Oil Week is the meeting place of choice for the continent’s upstream oil and gas sector. Now entering its 29th year, the event brings together governments, national and international oil companies, independents, investors, the G&G community and service providers. Africa Oil Week takes place in the heart of Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 (CTICC2) from 9-13 October 2023