By Moses Patience Chat
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has announced that Eng. Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), will participate at African Energy Week 2023, shaping conversations around the importance of boosting collaboration for the advancement of Africa’s gas industry.
This was revealed today by the Executive Secretary of AEC, NJ Ayuk. According to him, throughout the event, Hamel will engage in exclusive networking sessions alongside African energy policymakers, project developers, operators, global investors and partners.
He noted that the interactions aim to facilitate the exchange of ideas, foster collaborative efforts and drive the advancement of Africa’s gas industry. With the aim of supporting the stability to supply in the global energy matrix, GECF strongly advocates for the development of gas for a sustainable energy future, a topic which will be driven by Hamel this October.
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is a platfoarm that offers guidance and support that to markets and stakeholders in the gas sector need to thrive even as major gas producers strengthen their attractiveness for foreign investment and new discoveries are made in untapped markets.
With a membership that comprises 19 prominent gas-producing nations, including Algeria, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Nigeria who are all permanent members as well as Angola and Mozambique as observers, the GECF has played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of ideas, supporting policy development and structuring, and spearheading collaborations across the global gas market.
GECF and its member countries represent up to 72% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves, a substantial 44% of its marketed production, over 56% of the global pipeline infrastructure and 52% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
In Africa, GECF promotes dialogue and cooperation on best practices for managing gas resources, optimizing production and monetization, and boosting local content development between African producers and their global counterparts.
The association provides market reports, recommendations and guidelines, as well as policy coordination, technical assistance and capacity building programs which have long-shaped the stability of the African market. As a result, African gas is taking on a more prominent role in the global energy market, a role which continues to grow as international markets look to diversify supply chains.
“Africa’s natural gas resources are the key for providing reliable electricity to the over 600 million people currently without, while creating long-term employment opportunities and driving the sustainable development of economies. The GECF has positioned itself as a reliable partner for the continent by fostering regional cooperation on infrastructure rollout, technology and skills development, investment attraction and resource monetization.
“Hamel’s engagement at AEW 2023 assumes paramount significance. His involvement will be instrumental in spotlighting the pivotal contribution of African resources in driving a just energy transition, alongside socioeconomic advancements tailored to the African context. The Secretary General will provide insights around the GCEF’s commitment to fostering the growth of the continent’s energy sector,”