Gas as a clear and solid foundation for Africa’s human and economic development

Present at AOW2026 earlier this week in Accra, Ghana, the President of the International Gas Union (IGU) - Mr Andrea Stegher, and IGU's Regional Coordinator for Africa - Mr Akachukwu Nwokedi, took to the stage on two consecutive days to discuss the criticality of Gas as a solid foundation for the African continent's human and economic development.

From left to right: Mr Akachukwu Nwokedi, Africa Regional Coordinator (IGU) and Mr Andrea Stegher, President (IGU)

On the second day of the conference, Mr Stegher took part in a plenary Fireside chat, alongside Dr Philip Mshelbila - the Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum - entitled "Powering Africa's Future - Gas, Energy Security & the New Geo-Economics".

In his intervention, Mr Stegher emphasised that Gas resources are currently being developed across the continent but, more importantly, a stronger alignment across industrial players and policy makers is happening, paving the way to transform Africa's Gas vision into projects' reality.

Delivering a keynote address on the third day of the event, Mr Nwokedi's presentation focused on "Regional Integration as the Catalyst for Africa's LNG Future: Building Connected Markets, Energy Security, and Shared Prosperity". In his remarks, while emphasising IGU's strong belief that Gas is essential to human progress and global growth, the central message was clear: Africa's vast natural gas resources alone, though important, will not secure its LNG future. Greater regional integration-connecting markets, infrastructure and policies, while mobilising capital-is essential to turn natural gas into a driver of energy security, industrial growth and shared prosperity. Mr Nwokedi concluded that Africa's LNG success should be measured not only by exports, but by the homes, factories, farms and businesses powered by African natural gas.

While in Accra, the IGU President, had the opportunity to visit IGU's Charter member, Ghana National Gas Company together with Mr Nwokedi, and meet with Ms Judith Blay - the first female CEO of the company - and the executive team to discuss relevant matters for the promotion of Gas in Ghana.

Centre of the image: Ms Judith Blay, CEO, Ghana National Gas Company

In addition, Mr Stegher has also availed himself of the opportunity to have a meeting with Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), IGU's Associate member. During his meeting with Mr Hamis Ussif - Deputy CEO at GNPC, IGU's President reinforced the progress made by the Ghanaian Gas industry to further the Gas developments in the country and across the region.

From left to right: Mr Hamis Ussif - Deputy CEO, GNPC; Mr Andrea Stegher - President, IGU; Mr Kwesi Eyiah, Director Commercial Division, GNPC

Throughout his engagements in Ghana, Mr Stegher reinforced the IGU's commitment to strongly and actively engage with all Gas industry stakeholders and its members to reinforce and enhance the role of Gas in supporting a realistic and viable energy evolution.