Accra, Ghana —

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited, Ms Judith Adjobah Blay, has called on African governments, policymakers and investors to urgently scale up investment in gas infrastructure to unlock the continent’s vast natural gas resources and accelerate economic transformation.

According to Ms Blay, Africa’s challenge is no longer simply about finding gas, but building the infrastructure required to move it from production fields to the industries, power plants and communities that need it.

She made the call at Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2026, where she participated as a panellist in a high-level discussion on the theme, “Building the Backbone: Midstream Gas Infrastructure as the Link Between Supply and Demand.”

The session examined the strategic importance of midstream infrastructure in connecting gas production to markets and consumers, while improving the resilience, efficiency and reliability of Africa’s energy value chain.

Ms Blay said the continent’s significant gas reserves could play a critical role in addressing energy security and supporting industrialisation, but only if governments and investors commit the resources required to develop the infrastructure needed to commercialise those resources.

She identified gas processing, transportation, storage and distribution infrastructure as critical components in closing the gap between supply and demand.

“Africa has the gas resources. The next frontier is building the infrastructure that connects those resources to the people, industries and economies that need them.”

Partnerships key to unlocking investment

The Ghana Gas CEO also stressed the need for stronger partnerships between African governments, national oil and gas companies, private-sector investors and development finance institutions.

She argued that the scale of investment required to develop Africa’s gas infrastructure would demand coordinated efforts and innovative financing models capable of attracting both domestic and international capital.

For Ms Blay, collaboration across the energy sector is essential to ensuring that Africa does not remain a continent rich in natural resources but constrained by inadequate infrastructure.

She further noted that developing an integrated gas infrastructure network could strengthen energy security, support industries, improve power generation and create new economic opportunities across the continent.

Ghana positions gas at centre of energy strategy

The discussions have particular relevance for Ghana as the country continues to position natural gas as a critical component of its energy security and industrialisation strategy.

Ghana has invested significantly in the development of its midstream gas infrastructure, with Ghana Gas playing a central role in the processing and supply of natural gas for power generation and industrial use.

Ms Blay’s participation at AOW 2026 therefore offered Ghana an opportunity to share its experience in the midstream gas sector while also making a broader case for increased investment and regional cooperation.

The push comes at a time when African countries are seeking to expand access to reliable energy, promote industrialisation and maximise the economic value of their natural resources.

A continental opportunity

Ms Blay’s message to African leaders and investors was clear: gas resources alone will not transform African economies unless the infrastructure exists to connect supply to demand.

With adequate investment in processing facilities, pipelines, storage systems and distribution networks, Africa’s gas resources could provide a critical bridge for economic growth while supporting more reliable energy supplies and industrial development.

Her call places midstream infrastructure at the centre of Africa’s energy conversation, urging stakeholders to move beyond resource discovery and focus on the infrastructure and partnerships required to turn gas reserves into tangible economic value for African economies and citizens.