With the success of West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP) project, large scale, cross boarder energy infrastructure is possible in Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 West Africa Gas Summit (WAGS) in Accra, Ghana, The Director General , West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), Chafari Kanya Hannawa, highlighted the vital role of public-private partnership in building large scale infrastructure, drawing lessons from the composition of WAGP project.
“If there is one lesson the WAGP teaches us, it is that large scale, cross border energy infrastructure is impossible without private capital and technical expertise. The West Africa Gas Pipeline was a billion-dollar venture made possible because the private sector saw value in working with governments. That lesson is more relevant now than ever”
She called for bold and coordinated regional strategies to unlock the full potential of natural gas as a catalyst for industrialization and economic transformation in West Africa, emphasizing the importance of innovation and inclusive knowledge-sharing.
She said: “We must create space for local entrepreneurs and innovators while being open to global expertise. The development of our gas market will require hybrid models, ones that combine local insights with international standards. That is how we can ensure sustainability and inclusion”, she stated
“Gas regionalization is not a one-off achievement; it is a continuous process that requires synchronization of national strategies with regional priorities. It also requires bold thinking, about interconnections with inland countries, about opportunities beyond our coastline, and about the infrastructure needed to take West Africa gas to new markets”
