Algerian Radio
The Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), Farid Ghazali, emphasized this Monday in Oran the pivotal role of the gas industry in the global energy landscape, highlighting the strategic contribution of Algeria and its institutions to the development of this sector in Africa and the region.
During his intervention in the first strategic session, held as part of the 8th AIGS Symposium dedicated to natural gas and hydrogen, Mr. Ghazali recalled Algeria’s historic position in the global gas industry. He specifically highlighted the infrastructure developed over several decades, which today constitutes a major asset for the transformation, valuation, and export of energy resources.
He also praised Algeria’s pioneering role in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production, recalling the commissioning of the world's first liquefaction plant in 1964, a historic achievement that established the country as a global reference in the energy sector.
Regarding natural gas in Africa, the official emphasized that it is not merely a transitional solution, but rather a fundamental pillar for industrialization, power grid stability, and the development of industrial value chains. He further noted that gas also fosters regional integration through interconnection, pipelines, LNG terminals, and storage capacities.
Regarding hydrogen, he pointed out that it represents a major strategic opportunity for the African continent, provided that an integrated ecosystem is established. This system must include renewable energies, appropriate infrastructure, financing mechanisms, and the necessary regulatory frameworks.
In this context, he also stressed the necessity of making hydrogen a lever for local industrialization, rather than merely a product intended for export.
On the environmental front, he called for enhancing the performance of the gas industry by reducing gas flaring, controlling methane emissions, and improving energy efficiency through digitalization and low-carbon technologies. He maintained that African gas must be simultaneously competitive and exemplary.
In conclusion, he called for strengthening Pan-African cooperation to transform the continent's energy potential into a genuine lever for prosperity. He emphasized that regional integration and the coordination of energy policies are essential elements for accelerating the implementation of structural projects and enhancing the sector's resilience.
