By Lucy Ogalue
The Federal Government has called for stronger global investment and partnerships to ensure that Africa’s energy transition delivers justice, inclusion and prosperity.
The Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, in a statement, said this at the GASTECH 2025 Ministerial Panel on Powering Growth and Prosperity in High Potential Economies, held in Milan, Italy.
Enoh said energy transition must not translate into energy exclusion, particularly for the 1.8 billion people still lacking access to reliable power, most of whom are in the Global South.
He said that for Nigeria and much of the Global South, natural gas remained central to bridging the energy gap, powering industries and homes, while also supporting renewable expansion and preparation for future technologies.
“For Nigeria and for Africa, this challenge is not abstract. It is the difference between darkness and light for homes, between stillness and productivity for industries, between poverty and prosperity for our people,” he said.
The minister described natural gas as central to Nigeria’s dual-track strategy of pursuing industrialisation and decarbonisation.
According to the minister, gas provides affordability, flexibility and reliability as the country expands investments in renewables.
He said that Nigeria was accelerating domestic gas utilisation to power homes, industries, fertiliser plants and manufacturing zones.
He also said that the country was advancing policies that integrate energy with industrialisation, digitalisation and inclusive growth.
Enoh said frameworks were being created to attract climate finance and de-risk investments because “transition without capital is only rhetoric.”
The minister said that Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs), must deliver real financial flows rather than promises.
He said energy security and infrastructure development were key priorities of Nigeria’s new industrial policy.
“This is especially as the government is working through the Industrial Revolution Work Group to establish industrial energy corridors, embedded generation for clusters, and partnerships with independent power producers,” he said.
He said beyond energy, the country was investing in complementary infrastructure such as roads, rail, ports and ICT backbone to strengthen industrial hubs and connect them to global markets, largely through public-private partnerships.
“Energy is the backbone of industry. Our message is simple: Nigeria will industrialise and decarbonise.
” Gas will power our factories, homes and digital future, even as we scale renewables and prepare for tomorrow’s technologies,” he said.
Enoh assured investors that Nigeria was open, ready and reforming, with vast gas reserves, a large domestic market and a government determined to create one of the world’s most promising frontiers for energy investment.
He further said that the true measure of the global energy transition would not only be in carbon reductions but also in “lives uplifted, industries powered and nations transformed.”
Gastech is the world’s largest and most influential meeting place for energy professionals, policy makers, investors, and technology leaders.
For more than 50 years, it has convened governments and global energy stakeholders to shape the future of natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, climate solutions, and the broader energy transition.
The conference brings together more than 40,000 delegates, over 750 speakers and over 1,000 exhibiting companies each year.
It is seen as the “Davos of Energy” where deals are struck, partnerships announced, and global narratives around energy policy are influenced.
Previous editions have served as launchpads for critical public-private partnerships and national energy announcements.
Panels often attract global media attentions, positioning speakers as thought leaders in the energy transition space.
NAN