Africa set to increase its share of global LNG exports

The rise of African LNG

By 2050, Africa’s share of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports could reach 15%, compared with around 10% today. This growth is based on major investments in projects in Nigeria, Senegal, Angola, Mauritania and Mozambique.

Strong growth in global demand

According to the “Global Gas Outlook Report 2050” published by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), worldwide demand for LNG will remain strong, particularly in Asia, where energy needs are growing rapidly. Furthermore, Europe, which currently imports 64% of its LNG from Africa, is looking to further diversify its sources of supply to strengthen its energy security.

Redirecting flows and boosting intra-African trade

While Africa today mainly supplies Europe, a growing share of its exports could gradually turn to Asia. Intra-African transactions are also set to intensify, reaching around 32 million tonnes by 2050. This boom could strengthen regional energy integration and improve access to gas for several of the continent’s countries.

The challenges of sustainable growth

To maximize the economic benefits of this expansion, a number of challenges need to be overcome. Infrastructure development, securing investments in the face of geopolitical risks and local gas processing will be essential to avoid over-dependence on foreign markets.

Conclusion: considerable potential to be exploited

Countries like Mozambique could play a key role in this transformation. If current projects come to fruition, the country could become the world’s fifth largest LNG exporter, accounting for over 40% of African exports. Africa therefore has immense growth potential in the LNG sector, but its success will depend on its ability to attract and secure investment while adapting to changes in the global market.