Gas
Nigeria and France target deeper energy and gas ties
Industry leaders from Nigeria and France have met in Lagos to urge stronger cooperation in gas development, decarbonisation, and local infrastructure expansion.
Key points
- Stakeholders at the French Week energy roundtable stressed the need for regulatory stability and increased investment.
- TotalEnergies and Nigeria LNG highlighted ongoing projects designed to boost local capacity and gas output.
- Officials noted that expanded gas utilisation is vital for addressing domestic power shortages and industrial needs.
Representatives from Nigeria and France have convened to explore avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation within the petroleum and gas industries, according to Punch Newspapers. Convened during the French Week events arranged by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the gathering brought together corporate executives, government officials, and diplomatic figures.
What happened
Discussions centred on unlocking domestic energy reserves through enhanced infrastructure, technology transfer, and stable regulations. Matthieu Bouyer, head of TotalEnergies in Nigeria, remarked that the country represents a long-term destination for capital deployment, noting that bilateral trade between the two nations reached approximately $4.7bn in 2025. Bouyer pointed to the $550m Ubeta gas project, developed alongside NNPC Limited, as a key initiative expected to deliver initial gas supplies by 2027.
Adeleye Falade, managing director of Nigeria LNG Limited, underscored the strategic role of natural gas, citing national proven reserves of roughly 215 trillion cubic feet. Falade reported that the Train 7 expansion initiative is nearing completion, with engineering and procurement nearly finished, which will raise production capacity from 22 million to approximately 30 million tonnes per annum. Laurent Favier, the French Consul-General in Lagos, acknowledged the persistent infrastructure gaps in the West African nation, observing that close to 100 million people lack reliable electricity access.
Why it matters
According to World Bank figures from 2024, only 62.5 percent of Nigeria's population has access to electricity, starkly contrasting with universal access in France, while Nigeria's electricity consumption per person sat at a modest 140.6 kWh in 2024. Furthermore, World Bank data for the same year indicates that just 28 percent of Nigerians have access to clean cooking solutions, underscoring the severe public health implications highlighted by industry leaders regarding traditional household fuels. For energy investors and policymakers, deepening partnerships to expand domestic gas utilisation and infrastructure is critical to bridging these severe supply deficits and supporting broader economic industrialisation.
What comes next
Stakeholders emphasised that future efforts must prioritise a just and realistic energy transition that balances emissions reduction with the continent's pressing requirement for reliable power supplies. Projects such as Train 7 and the Ubeta development are expected to advance local manufacturing capabilities and bolster domestic fuel availability as they reach completion toward late 2027.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
2.9% of electricity in France came from gas in 2025Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
