Ghana, Nigeria explore gas-power exchange to strengthen energy security
The nation is exploring a new form of regional energy cooperation with Nigeria that could see electricity exported in exchange for natural gas, Energy and Green Transition Minister John Jinapor has disclosed.
Speaking at the Future Energy Conference hosted by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy in Accra, Mr Jinapor said negotiations are ongoing to design a framework that will strengthen West Africa’s energy security and deepen economic integration.
“We believe we can work together. Ghana takes gas from Nigeria, generates power and re-exports. We are in discussions to see if we can create a barter arrangement where we take their gas, convert it into power and supply electricity back to Nigeria in the spirit of West African cooperation,” the Minister explained.
The proposed arrangement builds on Ghana’s existing role as a key player in regional energy supply.
Currently, the country exports electricity to Togo, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Benin through the West African Power Pool. The new plan with Nigeria would represent a more innovative exchange mechanism, linking Ghana’s generation capacity with Nigeria’s abundant gas resources.
Mr Jinapor also reiterated the government’s long-term commitment to diversifying the energy mix, stressing that Ghana’s nuclear power programme remains under consideration as part of efforts to provide a reliable base-load supply for the subregion.
“If we are to sustain growth and industrialisation in West Africa, we must invest not only in renewables and gas but also in stable nuclear power to guarantee energy security,” he stated.
The barter framework, if concluded, could ease Ghana’s own fuel supply challenges while providing Nigeria with much-needed electricity, particularly during peak demand periods.
Energy experts at the conference welcomed the proposal as a practical step towards achieving regional self-reliance and reducing dependence on external markets.
The Future Energy Conference, ACEP’s annual flagship event, convenes governments, multilateral institutions, private sector actors, academics and civil society groups to deliberate on the policies, governance and innovations required to close Africa’s energy access gap.
This year’s edition, themed “Financing Africa’s Energy Future: Unlocking Investments for Energy Access and Economic Transformation,” focused on mobilising the significant capital required to tackle energy poverty, expand infrastructure and accelerate Africa’s economic transformation.
