The European Union faces a practical challenge: if gas supplies from Russia falter or stop entirely, member states will need to identify reliable alternatives to keep homes heated and industries powered. Analysts point to African gas reserves as a potential safeguard, with experts highlighting the continent as a growing source of natural gas that could help stabilize European energy markets. This assessment was discussed by Sergey Kolobanov, deputy director of the Center for Strategic Research The Economy of the Fuel and Energy Complex, in a recent interview. He explained how Europe might secure new gas supplies in a shifting global landscape.
Across Africa, the largest gas reserves are concentrated in several nations. Algeria accounts for about 18 percent of Africa’s total gas reserves, followed by Egypt at around 17 percent, Libya at roughly 11 percent, and Nigeria, which holds about 43 percent of the continent’s gas resources. These figures illustrate a geography of supply that could eventually play a pivotal role in meeting European demand, particularly for buyers in Canada and the United States who monitor energy markets closely for pricing and reliability signals.
Mozambique is also cited as a possible contributor to Africa’s gas potential. The International Energy Agency recognizes the country’s substantial resources, but there are practical considerations. Kolobanov noted that much of Mozambique’s gas lies on the deepwater continental shelf, which presents technical challenges and increases development costs. Investors and policymakers in North America weigh these factors against the benefits of diversifying supply routes to reduce dependence on any single source.
Forecasts suggest that Africa’s export capacity could rise by a range of billions of cubic meters, reflecting growing energy use on the continent itself while expanding shipments abroad. Kolobanov suggested that the most significant gains are likely to come from liquefied natural gas exports, which enable cargo flexibility and access to distant markets, including Europe. LNG infrastructure and regional supply chains will be critical components in translating reserves into reliable shipments for customers in North America and Europe alike.
Meanwhile, discussions about Europe’s future energy mix include views from government and industry leaders. A former Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak, has stated that replacing Russian oil and gas within the next five to ten years remains unlikely. The EU continues to explore a diversified approach, examining potential imports from major producers such as the United States, Qatar, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and various regions in South America and Africa. These considerations reflect the complex task of balancing supply security, pricing, and environmental and geopolitical factors as North American and other markets respond to evolving global energy dynamics.