Final report : ECA/IBRD symposium on issues and options for exploiting African gas reserves

Abstract

The paper stresses the importance of utilization of natural gas for national economies. In spite of the fact that many countries of Africa process significant reserves of this natural riches, huge volumes of the gas are uselessly flared in Africa. Provided necessary technical and financial assistance is available, African countries could partially or totally meet their demand for natural gas and export a part of it. Environmentally wise, introduction of gas into industries could reduce the pollution a preserve forests. Upon request of the conference of African ministers of transport, communications and planning, ECA implemented a study on the design of a network of gas pipelines in order to determine if such a pipeline will in future enable African producer countries to market their products on the international market and African consumer countries to use this network to satisfy their requirements. The study, completed in 1992, recommended that further investigations be made for trans-Sahara gas trunk line system, Mozambique-Zimbabwe, Tanzania-Kenya and, Ethiopia Gas Distribution/Utilization system.