Vast gas reserves across Africa have been ignored for years. This may now change as the world scrambles for alternatives to Russian energy.
Currently, Africa meets only 15 per cent of the world’s gas demand — and most of this is from just one country, Algeria. Yet the continent has plenty of gas, particularly south of the Sahara. Development has been lacking, however, as poor infrastructure, civil conflict and other problems have kept energy companies away.
“One of the biggest challenges is sustainability of supply, because most of it comes from volatile areas where there is war,” says Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, chief executive of Johannesburg-based DLO Energy Resource Group.
“We have seen this in the Niger Delta, as well as more recently in northern Mozambique where Total had to pull out most of its staff due to ongoing terrorism.”
The European conflict may now encourage risk-averse energy investors as they seek new gas supplies.
Nigeria, for instance, has an estimated 200 trillion cubic feet of gas, enough to make it a potential supplier to gas-dependent regions such as Europe.
Until now, the country’s oil producers have treated gas as a nuisance by-product. However, the Russia-Ukraine war has inspired Nigerian authorities to dust off a longstanding plan to build a pipeline to Europe — a $25 billion project across 13 countries and the Mediterranean Sea.
For years, the plan had been viewed as pie in the sky, but under current circumstances, it is being taken seriously … so much so that Opec has contributed nearly $15m to carry out a feasibility study.
“We are seeing an increase in drilling in Nigeria, and Total is bringing its staff back to Mozambique,” says Ms Mabhena-Olagunju.
Still, many remain sceptical that Africa is close to meaningfully joining the global gas production network.
Historical problems continue to plague the continent’s potential energy producers, says Corti Paul Lakuma, a research fellow in the macroeconomics department at London’s Economic Policy Research Centre.
“Geopolitical wrangling, lack of infrastructure and willingness to put in place what’s needed will hold Africa back,” he says.
“Yes, there’s an opportunity for Africa to supply [to] Europe, but not in the next five years. For Africa to supply Europe sufficiently, I’d give it 20 years — it’s not to be considered in the short term.”
Some even suggest that the energy landscape should pivot away from carbon fuels altogether and use another gas — hydrogen.
“Europe is looking at hydrogen with renewed urgency, with projects in 12 EU countries, and more on the way,” says Demetrios Papathanasiou, global director for Energy and Extractives Global Practice at the World Bank.
Hydrogen can be used as a feedstock for fuel cells, which can power motor vehicles, houses and many other electricity-intensive applications.
While most is sourced by extracting it from natural gas, hydrogen molecules can also be split from water, a process that creates no carbon emissions. The latter process called electrolysis can be powered by wind and solar energy.
“Africa is really at the table, given its large wind and solar power endowment,” says Mr Papathanasiou. “Now is a good time to consider investment in fresh technology that would help the world decarbonise, and also allow Africa to get in on this technology development early.”
In the meantime, countries are rushing to develop their gas deposits as the clock ticks on the fossil fuels. A recent discovery shows that as much as 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas lies off the west coast of South Africa and Namibia, according to data by TotalEnergies and Shell.
“The oil and gas resources north of the Orange River offshore border with Namibia will be developed, and the same geology is likely south of the border in South Africa,” says Anton Eberhard, energy policy specialist and adviser to the state.
“As petroleum majors lose oil and gas resources and production in Russia, they will replace them with new fields, including in Africa.”
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
