GECF Projects $115 Billion Needed for Africa's Gas Investment

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) has projected that Africa will require up to $115 billion in gas midstream investment between 2031 and 2040 to effectively harness its 15 trillion cubic meters of natural gas reserves. Dr Philip Mshelbila, Secretary General of GECF and immediate-past Managing Director of NLNG, presented this information at the Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2026 held in Cape Town, South Africa.

He emphasized the urgent need for Africa to convert its natural gas resources into accessible and affordable energy, noting that the continent currently accounts for less than 6 percent of global energy use despite housing nearly one in five people on Earth. Mshelbila highlighted that Africa's gas reserves remain largely unmonetized due to inadequate investment and infrastructure, which exposes the continent to various economic shocks.

He outlined five priorities to close the investment gap, including increasing upstream production and enhancing regional infrastructure.