- Nigeria supplies most of the gas sustaining West Africa’s electricity needs.
- WAPCo seeks regulatory harmony to unlock full pipeline utilisation.
Nigeria continues to anchor regional energy supply as West Africa’s gas pipeline capacity remains underused, despite record-high deliveries from the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo). The situation reveals the depth of the region’s energy shortage and its dependency on Nigerian gas. The key phrase West Africa’s gas pipeline capacity reflects the scale of this underutilized resource.
WAPCo reported that the network still operates at less than half of its 470 million standard cubic feet per day capacity. The bi-directional line now carries gas from both Nigeria and Ghana. Consequently, it supports electricity generation in Benin, Togo and Ghana and stabilises power for millions.
During a media briefing, WAPCo Managing Director Abiodun Abodunrin stressed the pipeline’s role in regional security. He explained that any disruption would cause immediate shortages across the three countries. He added that the system delivered an average of 217 mmscf/d by November 2025. The company expects to end the year at up to 220 mmscf/d, marking its highest throughput in three decades.
Yet more than 250 mmscf/d of capacity remains unused every day. Abodunrin said this gap continues to worsen energy shortages. He noted that population growth is rising faster than available supply, creating a widening imbalance.
He called for harmonised fiscal and regulatory rules across Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana. He explained that clear policies attract private capital and support regional growth. Benin has already passed its amendments, while Nigeria has submitted an executive bill. Togo and Ghana are still progressing through parliament.
He also highlighted the pipeline’s growing bi-directional ability. Gas from Ghana’s Takoradi fields now enters the network, offering more flexibility. WAPCo aims to expand supply for power plants across all four countries.
Abodunrin stressed that expansion must deliver value and ensure dependable energy. He warned that illegal sand mining along Nigeria’s right-of-way threatens the high-pressure system. He explained that gas lines face greater risks than oil pipelines.
WAPCo recently completed its January 2025 offshore inspection across all four countries. The operation finished on schedule and confirmed the pipeline’s sound condition. Safety remains central to the company’s operations. It has recorded more than 13 million man-hours and 11 years without any lost-time incident.
The board has set ambitious targets for 2026. It plans to surpass 2025 throughput and work toward full utilization of the 470 mmscf/d capacity. Long-term plans also include possible expansion as gas supply grows in Nigeria and Ghana.