German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, has disclosed that Nigeria lost an estimated $1.5 billion to gas flaring in 2024 after burning 5.3 billion cubic metres of associated gas, ranking the country seventh globally in gas flare volumes.
Günther made the disclosure on Wednesday during a fireside chat at the ongoing 25th Nigeria Oil and Gas, NOG, Energy Week in Abuja, themed, “Advancing Energy Ambitions for Competitive and Resilient Economies.”
She said Germany had launched a new programme aimed at converting flare gas into economic value for Nigerian households, industries and potential hydrogen production as part of its long-standing energy partnership with Nigeria.
According to the ambassador, the initiative follows the signing of the 2025 Joint Declaration of Intent on Bilateral Energy Transition Dialogue and Cooperation between both countries.
“Just for context, 5.3 billion cubic meters of gas was flared in 2024 in Nigeria, which makes it the seventh rank in the world and that equals an economic loss of US$1.5 billion,” Günther said.
She explained that the new programme would focus on utilising flare gas more efficiently to reduce emissions, generate economic value and supply gas to households, industries and emerging hydrogen projects.
The ambassador said the German-Nigerian energy partnership began in 2008 and has expanded over the years through several initiatives, including the establishment of an energy desk at the German-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) in 2013.
She noted that the NESP, implemented by GIZ, has been running for more than a decade and is currently in its sixth phase.
Günther also recalled that Germany established the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office, also known as the H2 Diplomacy Office, in 2021 to promote low-carbon hydrogen opportunities.
She said the latest bilateral agreement signed in 2025 is intended to support Nigeria’s implementation of its Energy Transition Plan while strengthening cooperation on climate and energy issues.
According to her, the partnership focuses on three key areas, including low-carbon energy carriers and power generation, skills development and private sector mobilisation, as well as commercialisation of flare gas.
She said both countries share net-zero ambitions, with Germany targeting carbon neutrality by 2045 and Nigeria by 2060.
Günther noted that global developments, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tensions in the Middle East, had underscored the need for countries to diversify their energy sources.
She added that Germany was working with GIZ, Siemens Energy and the European Union on programmes to support skills development and private sector participation in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The ambassador said the newly commissioned flare gas commercialisation project would assess technical, regulatory and financing models for capturing gas currently flared at oil fields and redirecting it for domestic energy supply, industrial use and hydrogen production.
She added that the initiative is expected to reduce emissions, increase power supply, support industrial growth and create new revenue opportunities for Nigeria.
