Education
Gastech 2026: Heirs Energies CEO calls for more investment to close Africa’s energy gap – EnviroNews
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Heirs Energies Chief Executive Officer, Osayande Igiehon, has called for a practical approach to addressing Africa’s energy deficit, urging increased investment in energy production, infrastructure and delivery to support economic growth across the continent.
Igiehon made the call while participating in three key engagements at the Gastech Exhibition & Conference 2026, held at BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme, “Where Global Energy Supply Meets Demand.”
The event brought together more than 50,000 energy professionals from over 150 countries, including government officials, industry leaders, investors, technology providers and infrastructure developers.
Igiehon joined global energy leaders at the opening ceremony, which featured remarks by Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, and Minister of Energy, Akanat Promphan, as well as a fireside conversation with former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on geopolitics, energy security and the importance of reliable and affordable energy to economic growth.
The opening discussions set the tone for conversations around energy security, investment, innovation, affordability and the infrastructure required to meet rising global demand.
Speaking on Day Two at the Electrification Theatre, Igiehon highlighted Africa’s significant energy-access challenge, noting that nearly 600 million Africans still lack reliable access to electricity.
He argued that the continent’s immediate priority should be moving “from energy deficiency to energy sufficiency,” rather than framing the energy transition simply as a choice between fossil fuels and renewable energy.
According to him, Africa needs to expand the use of gas, hydro, solar, wind and energy storage, while investing across the energy value chain and maximising existing assets.
“For Africa, we must add energy to the system before transforming the system,” he said, stressing that increased energy supply must ultimately translate into reliable electricity for hospitals, schools, homes, businesses and industries.
He also identified Nigeria’s potential to expand gas supply for domestic, regional and global markets, with improved energy access capable of supporting productivity, employment and broader economic growth.
On the third day of the conference, Igiehon participated in discussions on rising energy demand across emerging economies and the challenge of converting that demand into bankable projects, infrastructure and industrial development.
He said Africa’s challenge was not a lack of energy demand, but an energy-delivery gap requiring credible offtake arrangements, interconnected infrastructure, stable policies and reliable payment systems to attract investment.
He outlined three approaches to closing the gap: optimising existing brownfield capacity, developing connected new infrastructure, and integrating gas, renewables, storage and stronger electricity grids.
Igiehon also highlighted the economic cost of unreliable electricity, noting that African businesses often divert substantial capital towards backup generation instead of investing in production, job creation and innovation.
Drawing on Heirs Energies’ experience, he cited developments at OML 17, where gas production has increased from approximately 50 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) to 135 MMscf/d.
He said the gas produced is directed entirely to Nigeria’s domestic market, supporting five power plants and contributing to electricity supply for millions of Nigerians.
Across his engagements at Gastech 2026, Igiehon reiterated the need for Africa to develop more energy, build the infrastructure required to deliver it and strengthen the role of African businesses and governments in shaping the continent’s energy future.
His participation positioned Heirs Energies’ experience within the wider global debate on how emerging economies can translate growing energy demand and natural resources into reliable power, industrial productivity and sustainable economic value.
