The Government of Ghana is advocating the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline and other cross-border gas infrastructure projects to strengthen regional energy integration, improve energy security, and support economic growth across West Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the West African Gas Summit (WAGS) 2026 in Accra, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, said the success of the West African Gas Pipeline demonstrates the benefits of regional cooperation but stressed that greater investment is needed to unlock the sub-region’s vast natural gas potential.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, he noted that deeper market integration and enhanced cross-border gas trade would make West African energy markets more resilient and attractive to investors.
“The West African Gas Pipeline shows what is achievable, but there is still significant potential to expand interconnection and cross-border trade. The more integrated our markets are, the more resilient and appealing they become,” he stated.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah described natural gas as a key driver of industrialisation, economic transformation, job creation, and improved living standards, emphasizing that natural resource wealth alone cannot deliver development without the necessary infrastructure, policies, and strategic partnerships.
“For West Africa, gas must be central, not just as an end in itself, but as a tool for industrialisation, economic transformation, and improved living standards,” he said.
He disclosed that domestic gas fields currently supply approximately 80 percent of the natural gas used for electricity generation and industrial activities in Ghana, helping to lower power production costs and enhance national energy security.
According to him, disruptions in gas supply often force power producers to switch to more expensive liquid fuels, increasing electricity generation costs and placing additional strain on the economy.
The Deputy Minister also called for stronger private sector participation in financing gas infrastructure projects, arguing that governments alone cannot provide the level of investment required to transform the region’s energy landscape.
He stressed that partnerships between governments, investors, regulators, and industry players would be critical to expanding infrastructure and ensuring reliable access to energy across West Africa.
The West African Gas Summit 2026, organised by the Gas Consortium and the West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority, brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, and energy industry leaders to discuss strategies for accelerating gas sector development and advancing regional energy integration.
Participants at the summit are expected to explore opportunities for infrastructure expansion, investment mobilisation, and policy reforms aimed at unlocking the full potential of natural gas as a catalyst for sustainable development in the sub-region.
Source: citinews
