Sustainable Energy Access in West Africa Region: The Role of Natural Gas

Abstract

West Africa region has enormous gas reserves of over 182 trillion cubic feet and its total energy consumption estimated at 201 million tonnes of oil equivalent. At the GDP growth rate of 5.9% per annum and a 4.8% share of global population, the demand for energy is projected to increase nearly 80% by 2040. The region has the lowest access rate to quality energy globally. Despite the strides in some energy infrastructural development, the region is yet to harness the opportunities in natural gas utilization as a sustainable source of energy with a larger percentage of the population still suffering from poor access to modern forms of energy despite the huge potentials for sustainable energy growth. We have explored the production potentials of natural gas in the region, its share of the primary energy consumption, the strategic location of the major reserve holder – Nigeria with respect to other states in the West Africa region as well as potential challenges in creating a regional and functional gas market. By applying the discrete choice method on the primary energy supply, demand and pricing in the region, we demonstrate the role played by natural gas in achieving sustainable energy access in the region.