Africa’s substantial natural gas reserves position it as a key player in the global energy landscape, according to Alaa El-Batal, First Undersecretary and Supervisor of HSE, Energy Efficiency, and Climate Affairs at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR), who emphasized the critical role of natural gas in the global energy mix.

He mentioned this during his keynote speech in the high-level ministerial panel discussion on behalf of Minister Karim Badawi, titled “Empowering Progress in Africa: Navigating Policy, Trade, and Finance for Energy Transformation Amidst Political Dynamics,” at the second edition of the African Energy Technology Conference (AETC) held from May 27 to 29 in Accra, Ghana.

El Batal highlighted the comparative advantages of natural gas as an energy source, as well as the importance of using it as a raw material for the production of fertilizers and chemicals to maximize its added value and support the national economy.

He stressed the importance of harnessing Africa’s untapped gas reserves to strengthen energy security and sustainability, underscoring the continent’s significant potential in renewable energy and green hydrogen and attracting investments that align with global carbon reduction goals.

El-Batal also addressed the pressing challenge of energy poverty in Africa, particularly the need for access to clean cooking fuels. He shared Egypt’s success story in expanding the use of natural gas, illustrating how the country has successfully connected more than 15 million homes to natural gas across various governorates.

Furthermore, he highlighted Egypt’s commitment to supporting gas connections in rural areas through the “Decent Life” (Hayah Karima) initiative, launched in January 2019. By ensuring wider access to natural gas, Egypt has promoted social equality, and empowered women, while reducing the government’s reliance on imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by replacing it with local natural gas, he said.

In his closing remarks, El-Batal confirmed the importance of African cooperation in fostering sustainable development goals, noting that regional cooperation and emission reduction remain core pillars for Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

He reiterated Minster Karim Badawi insights at the 10th Africa Energy Summit, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts among African countries and the pivotal role of partnerships between governments, private sector entities, and international financial institutions in ensuring the optimal utilization of the continent’s wealth of natural resources.

El-Batal concluded by stressing that it is crucial to leverage the experiences and successes of African countries to drive sustainable growth and prosperity. He also confirmed Egypt’s strong interest for expanding regional cooperation, particularly in knowledge exchange, to accelerate developing Africa’s energy sector.