Africa is on track to become a major force in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market, as worldwide production capacity is expected to rise from 486 million tons per annum (Mtpa) in 2024 to 755 Mtpa by 2030, according to new projections from Rystad Energy.
This surge will be driven by growing demand in regions with limited local gas supplies or pipeline access. Africa currently accounts for about 20% of planned global LNG capacity — roughly 93 Mtpa out of a total 477 Mtpa — including projects under construction, those with final investment decisions (FID), and pre-FID developments.
West Africa, particularly Nigeria, is leading the continent’s LNG production. Nigeria alone is expected to increase its exports by 20 million tonnes by 2030. To reach this goal and meet both export and domestic energy needs, the country may need to adopt new approaches such as floating LNG (FLNG) and smaller-scale mini-LNG facilities.
Despite its potential, Nigeria faces major challenges. Production issues and acts of vandalism have caused liquefaction rates to fall sharply—from 90% in 2018 to just 60% in 2024. These disruptions highlight the need for urgent reforms to unlock Nigeria’s full LNG potential.
Africa is already a global leader in FLNG infrastructure. The continent’s current onshore LNG production capacity stands at about 70 Mtpa, or 14% of the global total. West Africa produced more than half of Sub-Saharan Africa’s LNG in 2024 and is aiming for a 50% production boost by 2030.
Nigeria remains central to this growth. It contributes nearly two-thirds of West Africa’s LNG output and over one-third of Africa’s total, reinforcing its role as a key driver of the continent’s rising influence in the global LNG industry.
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