Nigeria’s LNG exports hit N20.06trn as global trade reaches record high

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LNG Vessel

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By Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor

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Nigeria’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports rose by one million metric tonnes (Mt) in 2025 to 14.78 Mt, valued at N20.0 trillion, from 13.78 Mt in 2024, valued at N18.89 trillion, reinforcing its position among the world’s leading LNG suppliers as global trade climbed to a record 436.98 Mt, according to the 2026 World LNG Report.

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Based on the current global LNG price of about $990 per metric tonne, Nigeria’s 14.78 million metric tonnes of LNG exports in 2025 had an estimated market value of $14.63 billion, translating to approximately N20.06 trillion at the prevailing official exchange rate of N1,371 per US dollar. Similarly Nigeria’s 13.78 million metric tonnes of LNG exports in 2024 had an estimated market value of $13.78 billion, translating to approximately N18.89 trillion.

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The report showed that Nigeria accounted for 3.4 per cent of global LNG exports in 2025, ranking seventh among the world’s largest exporters behind the United States, Qatar, Australia, Russia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

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Nigeria’s improved performance also helped lift Africa’s total LNG exports by 1.8 Mt to 39.77 Mt during the year, despite lower shipments from Algeria and Egypt.

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Globally, LNG trade expanded by 25.74 Mt, or 6.3 per cent, to a record 436.98 Mt in 2025, driven mainly by increased exports from the United States, Qatar, Malaysia, Angola and Nigeria.

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The report stated: “The 25.74 Mt increase in 2025 LNG trade was driven by rising output from the United States (+22.3 Mt), Qatar (+4.3 Mt), Malaysia (+1.1 Mt), Angola (+1.1 Mt), and Nigeria (+1.0 Mt).”

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Nigeria exported 14.78 Mt of LNG in 2025, up from about 13.78 Mt recorded in 2024, consolidating its position as one of Africa’s largest LNG exporters.

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Only the United States, with 110.74 Mt, Qatar with 81.51 Mt, Australia with 80.32 Mt, Russia with 30.52 Mt, Malaysia with 28.80 Mt and Indonesia with 16.55 Mt exported more LNG than Nigeria during the period.

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Within Africa, Nigeria remained a key growth driver alongside Angola, whose exports increased by 1.1 Mt, while new production from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project enabled Mauritania and Senegal to record their first LNG exports of 1.22 Mt.

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Overall, African LNG exports rose to 39.77 Mt in 2025 from 37.97 Mt in the previous year.

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Nigeria’s improved export performance comes as the country seeks to expand gas production and monetisation under its “Decade of Gas” initiative while increasing foreign exchange earnings from natural gas.

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The higher exports suggest improved utilisation of existing LNG infrastructure despite persistent challenges facing domestic gas supply, pipeline security and upstream investment.

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