Tackling Methane and Advancing Just Transition in Africa: Insights from Nigeria and Senegal

The world is moving fast to tackle climate change, and reducing methane emissions is emerging as one of the most affordable ways to make a difference. But what does this mean for Africa, where many countries still strive to expand gas usage to improve energy access and grow their economies?

In this interview, two NRGI colleagues share their perspectives on methane governance and its crucial link to Africa's energy transition. Tengi George-Ikoli, senior officer for Nigeria, explains why cutting methane emissions is as much about development and just transition as it is about climate. Aida Diop, senior program officer for Senegal, reflects on the opportunities and trade-offs facing a new oil and gas producer like Senegal.

Why should African countries prioritize methane reduction—and how does this link to a just energy transition?

Tengi George-Ikoli: As the world intensifies efforts to move to cleaner energy sources, many African countries still see natural gas as a temporary solution to reduce energy poverty and grow their economies. But using gas comes with trade-offs, especially methane. It is a harmful greenhouse gas that often leaks during oil and gas operations, and it is worse for the climate than carbon dioxide in the short term.

African oil and gas producers must act to reduce these emissions. Otherwise, they might undermine their climate goals and slow the shift to cleaner energy. But this is not just a climate issue. Reducing methane also helps improve public health and supports environmental justice for oil and gas communities.

There is also a development angle. Instead of wasting this gas, countries can capture it to improve energy access, including clean cooking. That means more access for the over 600 million Africans who still lack electricity. Economically, it makes sense as well because recovered gas can create new revenue, freeing up resources for broader development goals. 

So, really, methane reduction is a win-win situation. It helps African countries meet climate goals while advancing equity, inclusion and sustainable development —core pillars of a just energy transition. 

Given how central gas is to Senegal's energy plans, what trade-offs do methane emissions pose to achieving the country's just transition goals?

Aida Diop: As Tengi said, methane can become a climate risk, especially for a new oil and gas producer like Senegal, if the government does not act decisively. Early production activity has already raised red flags such as reported gas leaks in the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA)—a cross-border offshore gas project between Mauritania and Senegal.  Also, Senegal currently lacks specific regulations on methane emissions. The current Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the new Environmental Code do not include dedicated provisions on methane, even though emissions from the energy sector alone account for 48 percent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions. That shows the government needs to act fast.

Fortunately, Senegal is still early in its oil and gas journey. It can learn from the experiences of countries like Nigeria—one of Africa's largest oil and gas producers—where methane emissions have caused serious public health issues, air pollution, mistrust in energy projects among affected communities, and missed economic opportunities. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that in 2023, Nigeria could have generated about $350 million in revenues from methane reduction by selling recovered gas while needing to spend an average of only $240 million per year in abatement efforts.

Senegal does not have to go down that road. Instead, it can set up strong rules tailored to its national realities to monitor and manage methane from the start, with strong enforcement and civil society participation. The country's commitment to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the goal to reach a 40 percent renewable energy mix by 2030 has already put it on solid footing.

If Senegal prioritizes methane reduction now, it can capture more economic benefits from its gas production by avoiding waste, protecting livelihoods and the environment, and extending electricity access to the over 4 million rural Senegalese who still live without it. Cutting methane is central to delivering on the development promises of its gas strategy and balancing the climate, economic, and social goals of a just transition. 

How can efforts to tackle methane in Nigeria unlock technological, financial or governance opportunities, and what challenges stand in the way? 

TI: Tackling methane in Nigeria is an opportunity, but there are some challenges the government must fix first. Right now, the country is dealing with weak enforcement of existing regulations, inadequate emissions data, and limited technical capacity by operators. There are also limited incentives for companies to invest in solutions. 

To make progress, the government must strengthen enforcement and invest in monitoring tools like satellites, real-time detection systems, and public methane data platforms to build transparency and accountability. Training is key as well. Both government agencies and companies must improve their capacity to detect, report, and manage methane. Most importantly, the government must tie these efforts with its development goals and its nationally determined contribution (NDC) plan, which outlines how Nigeria aims to achieve its climate goals.

The good news is that getting this right can enhance environmental governance. It also encourages interagency collaboration and coordination, especially with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), which is mandated to drive Nigeria's climate action and energy transition. It provides an opportunity to strengthen public trust, particularly if oil-producing communities start to see the benefits.

On the technology side, methane reduction tools like drones, infrared cameras, hand-held devices, and satellite-based tools are evolving. Nigeria can bring in some of these technologies and build on what it already has, like the gas flare tracker.  

And then, there is the financial aspect. Reducing methane can bring in climate finance and help Nigeria join the global carbon markets. Capturing and commercializing methane that companies usually flare or leak can generate revenue and reduce waste. Showing progress can also help unlock concessional funding and investment from global initiatives, donors, development banks and climate-focused investors like the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and Global Methane Pledge. 

What practical steps can African governments take to lead on both energy transition and methane governance? 

TI: There are a few things governments can do right now. On the methane front, Africa can lead by including methane reduction targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). That sends a strong signal and keeps everyone accountable. Countries must also regularly update their methane plans with clear timelines and clearly defined roles so everyone knows who is doing what and by when. 

Next, governments must strengthen methane laws, require oil and gas companies to find and fix leaks and use better technologies to reduce methane waste. Regional collaboration is another opportunity. Methane does not respect borders, and neither should our response. And we need to put people at the center of these efforts. That means ensuring communities, especially those living near oil and gas infrastructure, benefit from methane reduction efforts, whether through cleaner air, better health, or access to energy.  

AD: From the energy transition side, governments need strong legal and regulatory frameworks, and realistic plans that reflect their development goals. They must create the right conditions for clean energy investment, reform outdated subsidies that support fossil fuels, and prioritize projects that deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to their people. For Senegal, this must include the promotion of transparency, especially encouraging operators to disclose their methane emissions in line with EITI standards and beyond, as well as ensuring the national oil company, PETROSEN, signs the decarbonization charter and joins the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP). As Tengi noted, working together across borders is key here as well, especially on infrastructure, technologies and resource management.

African countries need to better connect their methane and energy transition strategies. That is a way to show that climate action and development can go hand-in-hand. Acting early on both fronts will build credibility, attract funding, ensure innovation, and deliver concrete benefits to African communities.