Gas Forum Urges $115 Billion Investment for Africa
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum identifies a massive midstream infrastructure requirement to monetize Africa's gas reserves.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Should African nations prioritize large-scale natural gas development to improve their energy security?
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum projects that Africa requires $115 billion in midstream gas investment between 2031 and 2040. This capital is essential for building pipelines, storage, and processing infrastructure to unlock 15 trillion cubic metres of natural gas reserves.
Why it matters
Monetizing these reserves is critical because Africa currently accounts for less than 6 per cent of global energy use and faces significant economic shocks without access to reliable baseload power. Developing these resources will support industrialization, fertilizer production, and cleaner cooking as the continent prepares for one billion additional people by 2050.
The Forum reports that 80 per cent of annual capital expenditure since 2019 has been directed at backfilling natural production declines. Furthermore, global gas demand is expected to climb 31 per cent by 2055, with 86 per cent of production projected to come from currently undeveloped sources.
The players
Gas Exporting Countries Forum
This international organization serves as an intergovernmental platform that facilitates coordination and information exchange among the world's leading gas producers.
The details
Nine of the 20 member countries of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum are located in Africa, highlighting the continent's pivotal role in the energy market. Addressing this investment need requires overcoming challenges such as resolving domestic gas pricing and constructing large-scale liquefaction and distribution networks.
Timeline
2019: Annual capital expenditure primarily funded backfilling natural decline.
October 2026: Africa Energy Week is held in Cape Town.
2031-2040: The projected timeframe for the $115 billion in required midstream gas investment.
2050: Africa is projected to reach one billion additional people.
2055: Global gas demand is expected to grow by 31 per cent.
Market Landscape
The drive to fund African midstream infrastructure follows the pattern set by global energy transition efforts, which aim to provide reliable baseload power while decarbonizing. This shift repositions the continent as a vital supplier to meet a projected 31 per cent increase in global gas demand by 2055.
The development of these resources could eventually lower the costs of fertilizer and power, directly benefiting local African economies and industrial users. However, the lack of sufficient infrastructure means residents remain vulnerable to global energy price shocks in the near term.
The takeaway
Securing long-term energy stability in Africa will require moving capital away from simply maintaining existing fields toward building new, large-scale midstream infrastructure. Developing these assets is essential to meeting the power demands of a growing population and stabilizing the continent's industrial potential.
Further reading
For broader analysis on global energy trends, explore our Oil and Gas section.
Live Poll
Should African nations prioritize large-scale natural gas development to improve their energy security?
