The session, sponsored by Energean, brought together operators and developers who pointed to a clear disconnect between market opportunity and project execution across the continent. Karl Fredrik Staubo, CEO of Golar LNG, said Africa holds some of the most commercially attractive gas resources globally, particularly in the form of stranded and flared gas that could be rapidly monetized using floating FLNG technology.

“We think one of the biggest opportunities globally is in Africa,” he said. “Across Africa, you have plenty of proven, stranded and even flared gas resources. If we can capture that gas and put it in one of our liquefiers, that’s attractive in and of itself.”

With European buyers actively seeking new supply, he added, West Africa is well positioned to respond. “There is demand – Europe is desperate for off-take.”

However, Staubo said progress continues to be slowed by regulatory and fiscal uncertainty. “We’re extremely excited about Africa… but equally frustrated by the long processes to get stable fiscals in place and an investable environment,” he said, calling for more transparent systems and faster approvals.

The need for quicker decision-making was echoed by Mathios Rigas, CEO of Energean, who said the industry is equipped to navigate volatility but depends on government alignment to move projects forward.

“You need to be resilient and ready to deal with these challenging situations – our industry is ready,” he said. “All you need is a government willing to support you and move fast to take decisions. The market is there – no one is doubting that.”

Rigas pointed to Energean’s recent expansion into Angola through the acquisition of stakes in offshore blocks, noting that different assets require different operating models but that investor appetite remains strong where conditions are supportive.

At the same time, export-driven growth must be balanced with domestic supply. Rigas emphasized that gas development should also prioritize local energy needs, noting that “this industry has to deliver energy to each African country.”

Marieme-Sav Sow, Vice President of Engagement and Advocacy at TotalEnergies, highlighted the scale of ongoing investments across the continent, positioning gas as central to both economic growth and energy transition strategies.

“Gas is not an afterthought for us – it’s the most scalable bridge fuel for developing economies,” she said, pointing to projects spanning Angola, South Africa and Mozambique.

She described Mozambique’s Rovuma basin as a “game-changer,” with projected government revenues exceeding $35 billion, while stressing that security and transparency will be critical to realizing that potential.

From a domestic perspective, Nigeria is already moving to accelerate gas monetization, according to Julius Rone, CEO of UTM Offshore. He said recent policy focus and incentives are beginning to unlock activity across the value chain.

“Nigeria is moving in a swift direction… there’s a lot of projects coming up,” he said, adding that the country is increasingly focused on floating LNG solutions.

“Gas is what we’re going to use for the transition,” Rone said, expressing expectations that multiple final investment decisions could be reached within the next 12 to 24 months.