“Is CNG the Future of Fuel in Africa? How Countries Like Nigeria, Egypt, and Tanzania are Embracing a Cheaper, Cleaner Alternative”
Countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and Tanzania are increasingly promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol for running vehicles. The shift towards CNG has been driven by rising petrol prices and the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in these African countries.
In Nigeria, the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023 led to a significant increase in petrol prices, prompting many drivers like Jimoh Abeeb to convert their vehicles to run on CNG. The Nigerian government has launched the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) to support the adoption of CNG by providing free conversion for commercial drivers and discounts for ride-share vehicles. The country has also commissioned CNG stations in major cities and is planning to build more across the country.
Similarly, the Tanzanian government has invested in CNG stations and partnered with private companies to accelerate infrastructure development for CNG adoption. In Egypt, a national initiative has been launched to convert 1.5 million vehicles to CNG in 2025, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and cutting fuel costs for citizens.
While CNG is a fossil fuel, it produces fewer exhaust and greenhouse gas emissions compared to petrol and diesel. This makes it a viable transition fuel for Africa, especially given the affordability and accessibility of CNG compared to electric vehicles (EVs). However, critics argue that the adoption of CNG could delay the transition to cleaner energy sources like EVs.
To encourage EV adoption, experts suggest that African governments should incentivize the private sector to invest in battery production, charging stations, and EV manufacturing. Planning a time-frame to phase out CNG use in favor of cleaner energy sources aligned with net-zero emissions targets could help accelerate the transition to electric transport systems in Africa.
Overall, the shift towards CNG in countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and Tanzania reflects a growing awareness of the need to reduce emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources in the transportation sector. Balancing the economic benefits of CNG with the long-term environmental goals of decarbonization will be crucial for sustainable energy transitions in Africa.