Africa's Gas Awakening: LNG Expansion, Strategic Supply, and the Continent's Global Energy Role

At a recent oil and gas conference in Stavanger, Norway, Paul Eardley-Taylor, Gas Lead at Standard Bank South Africa, delivered a compelling presentation positioning Africa as a rising force in the global gas value chain.

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Drawing on data- rich analysis and regional insight, his report painted a dynamic picture of Africa's gas future amid shifting energy geopolitics, rising domestic demand, and global supply realignments.

Time, Risk, and Long-Term Cash Flows

Eardley-Taylor opened by addressing the capital realities of large-scale gas development in Africa. “The longer the timeframe to cash flow, the riskier the investment,” he noted, referencing a typical offshore case where net cash flows remain negative for up to 13 years before turning profitable. He linked this to a broader shift: “Investor appetite for long-cycle greenfield projects dipped after 2013, but recent discoveries in places like Namibia, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Eastern Mediterranean have changed the narrative.”

Projects like Egypt's Zohr and South Africa’s 11B/12B block benefit from existing infrastructure, reducing development complexity. These factors, he argued, are critical to attracting capital back into African plays.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Gas-Rich and Growing