The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has called on the World Bank to support efforts to mobilise an estimated $22 billion required to bridge Nigeria’s gas infrastructure gap and extend gas development across Africa.
The Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Engr. Saidu Mohammed made the call at the Decade of Gas Ministerial Roundtable on Regional Gas Development, organised in partnership with the World Bank.
He stressed the need for a stronger regional collaboration in advancing the initiative.
Mohammed, who spoke on the theme “Strategic Areas of Collaboration in Advancing Gas Development with Regional Impact Across Africa,” emphasised that Nigeria’s gas development strategy is shifting from policy formulation to execution and regional expansion.
According to a statement posted on NMDPRA’s official X handle, Mohammed noted that the first half of the Decade of Gas Initiative (2021–2030) had focused on identifying key enablers required to unlock Nigeria’s gas potential. These include strengthening supply, stimulating demand, expanding infrastructure, and establishing appropriate pricing frameworks to support the country’s gas-based economic growth.
He further stated that the second phase of the initiative would focus on execution, measured by increased gas production, greater investment inflows, expanded pipeline networks, and the commissioning of new gas processing facilities.
He stated that with the domestic framework for gas now in place, the focus must shift to extending the initiative’s impact beyond Nigeria to the wider African region.
Strategic Gas Corridors
NMDPRA ACE outlined three strategic corridors through which Nigeria plans to supply gas to regional and international markets. According to him, these include “the Africa Atlantic Gas Pipeline linking the northern Atlantic coast of Africa with potential delivery to Europe; the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline extending the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline across parts of West, Central and North Africa; and coastal LNG supply infrastructure along the Gulf of Guinea and other African coastal regions.”
Requirements to achieve the Ambition
The NMDPRA boss emphasised that in order to reach these goals, countries must have harmonised regulatory frameworks, organised channels for cross-border gas exports, trustworthy regional demand statistics, and ongoing funding for major infrastructure projects.
He also highlighted the significance of stable gas supply agreements and increased gas-to-power infrastructure across the continent. He reassured that the NMDPRA would continue to provide regulatory support for gas infrastructure developments, notably in terms of pricing, tariff systems, and other policy enablers.
Current Gas Production and Targets
Nigeria is pushing to reposition natural gas as the backbone of its energy transition agenda.
Speaking at the event on Monday, Ed Ubong, Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, disclosed that Nigeria’s natural gas production has risen from approximately 6.8 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2023 to 7.5 bcf/d in 2025.
Ubong projected that the country could nearly double its current output by 2030 if the present trajectory of collaboration across the value chain continues.
The country has set an ambitious target to reach 12 bcf/d by 2030, contingent on sustained reforms and investment.
The director attributed the recent expansion to better collaboration among government agencies, regulators, and industry investors.
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He stated that the Decade of Gas project, which runs from 2021 to 2030, aims to tap into the country’s huge reserves, which are believed to be worth more than 200 trillion cubic feet.
He disclosed that 16 priority pipeline projects have been identified requiring an estimated $22 billion in funding, to be financed through strong public-private partnerships.
Additionally, over 215 gas demand projects are currently tracked in the NMDPRA’s centralised database to ensure better planning and accountability.
Domestic Energy Priorities
On the domestic front, Nigeria aims to increase Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption from 1.8 million tonnes per annum to 3 million tonnes by 2030, supported by the distribution of over five million gas cylinders nationwide. Gas-to-power initiatives remain a central priority to improve the electricity supply and reduce reliance on traditional biomass like firewood and charcoal.
The two-day roundtable event brought together ministers from across the continent, World Bank representatives, regulatory bodies, and more than 60 project sponsors to fast-track funding and implementation of gas projects.
NMDPRA said the programme, which concluded on Tuesday, aimed at strengthening collaboration in unlocking Africa’s gas potential.
“The high-level engagement focused on accelerating gas infrastructure, deepening regional cooperation, and leveraging financing to drive energy security and economic growth,” the Authority stated.
It added that discussions during the programme highlighted natural gas as a transition fuel that can support industrialisation, power generation, and expanded access to cleaner energy. “Participants explored cross-border projects, regional pipeline connectivity, and coordinated policy frameworks to attract investment and deepen market integration.”
In response, the World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting gas initiatives that align with sustainable-development goals.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X
