The Global Landscape of Gas Investments and the Role of Emerging Markets

Today, 7 October 2025, the President of the International Gas Union (IGU) - Mr Andrea Stegher - delivered a Global Industry Address during the Opening Ceremony of the Gas Investment Forum taking place in Lagos, Nigeria.

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Gas Investment Forum is emerging as West Africa's premier energy investment event convening local and global investors, driving industry growth, promoting industrialisation & sustainable development across the continent.

Joining Mr Stegher on the Forum stage, this time with a Keynote Industry Address, was also Mr Akachukwu Nwokedi - the President, General Counsel and Company Secretary of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) and Nigeria LNG Limited - IGU's Regional Coordinator for Africa.

In his remarks, Mr Stegher mentioned the recent industry forecasts and investment outlooks that anticipate an increased funding in pipeline infrastructure, natural gas processing facilities, as well as Gas expansion for both domestic utilisation and export-focused projects, positioning Nigeria as a vital player on the global Gas market.

In his rousing address, Mr Stegher stated:

"For too long, for far too long, our global Gas industry has gone largely unnoticed by the global regulators, legislators and decision makers, and cast aside as yet "another voice of the fossil fuel industry". While we may, indeed, be - from a natural gas perspective only - a "fossil fuel", we are a very special molecule: we provide almost 25% of the world's energy demand and natural gas was essential in meeting 2024 energy demand increase, with around 28%. We are an industry that is expected to deliver 24/7, 365 days a year. And we deliver!"

Energising and enthusing the Forum attendees, in his closing remarks, Mr Stegher had a clear call to action for the African Gas producers, investors and wider value chain: "leveraging natural gas is the first, the most important, or the fundamental first step towards solving Africa's energy crisis and its path towards decarbonisation, as the simple switching from coal to natural gas results in 50% less CO2 emissions!"