The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), in its 2025 Annual Gas Market Report, projects a 4% growth in Africa’s gas consumption, driven by industrialisation, rising power sector demand, and LNG expansion. Nigeria plays a key role in this growth through its expanding gas-to-power initiatives.
Algeria and Egypt, accounting for over 60% of the regional market, are also major contributors, with increased demand from industrial and electricity sectors. The report reviews global gas market trends in 2024 and provides short-term forecasts for the industry.The GECF report highlights the power sector as the main driver of gas consumption in Africa, as governments aim to enhance electricity access and reliability.
In 2025, gas consumption is expected to rise by 4%, supported by industrial growth, expanding power demand, and new LNG regasification terminals in markets like South Africa. With efforts to improve energy security and reduce dependence on coal and oil, natural gas is set to remain vital in Africa’s energy transition. Investments in LNG infrastructure and pipelines in countries such as South Africa and Ghana are also expected to boost regional gas use.
The GECF report notes that while many African countries are expanding renewable energy, they are also prioritizing natural gas to ensure grid stability. However, challenges persist—especially in sub-Saharan Africa—including poor infrastructure, balancing domestic use with export demands, limited energy access, and financing difficulties.
Addressing these issues will require coordinated policies, investment, and infrastructure development. The GECF, based in Doha, Qatar, was established in 2001 and became fully operational in 2008.As of April 2025, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) comprises 20 member nations across four continents, including 12 full members and eight observer states.Full members include Nigeria, Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.
The observer members are Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Peru, and Senegal.According to its founding statute, the GECF is committed to upholding the sovereign rights of its members over their natural gas resources and supporting their efforts to develop, manage, and utilize these resources for the benefit of their populations.
