Nigeria’s LNG Exports Hit N20.06trn as Global Trade Reaches Record High

Nigeria’s LNG exports climbed further in 2025, and the numbers show just how much ground the country has covered in the global gas market. According to the 2026 World LNG Report, the nation shipped out 14.78 million metric tonnes (Mt) of liquefied natural gas last year, up from 13.78 Mt in 2024. That single-tonne jump translated into serious money: N20.06 trillion in export value, compared with N18.89 trillion the year before.

To put the figures in perspective, analysts calculated Nigeria’s 2025 LNG haul at roughly $14.63 billion, based on a global price of about $990 per metric tonne and an exchange rate of N1,371 to the dollar. The 2024 figure, by comparison, worked out to about $13.78 billion. So, even though the physical growth in tonnage looks modest on paper, the value attached to it tells a fuller story of Nigeria’s expanding footprint in the sector.

LNG Exports Growth Keeps Nigeria Among Top Global Suppliers

Nigeria’s LNG exports growth pushed the country to a 3.4 per cent share of the global market in 2025, placing it seventh among the world’s biggest suppliers. The United States led the pack, followed by Qatar, Australia, Russia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Even so, Nigeria still outperformed several major producers, since the top six exporters posted totals of 110.74 Mt, 81.51 Mt, 80.32 Mt, 30.52 Mt, 28.80 Mt, and 16.55 Mt respectively.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s rise didn’t happen in isolation. It also helped drive Africa’s overall LNG exports upward, from 37.97 Mt in 2024 to 39.77 Mt in 2025, an increase of 1.8 Mt. Interestingly, this happened despite weaker output from Algeria and Egypt, which suggests Nigeria and a handful of other producers picked up the slack for the continent.

Global LNG Trade Hits Record High Alongside Nigeria’s Gains

Globally, LNG trade expanded by 25.74 Mt, or 6.3 per cent, reaching an unprecedented 436.98 Mt in 2025. The report attributed this surge mainly to rising output from the United States, Qatar, Malaysia, Angola, and Nigeria. As the report put it, the United States alone added 22.3 Mt, while Qatar contributed 4.3 Mt, Malaysia and Angola each added 1.1 Mt, and Nigeria’s own increase came in at 1.0 Mt.

Elsewhere on the continent, Angola followed a similar upward path, adding 1.1 Mt to its own export figures. Additionally, new production from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project gave Mauritania and Senegal their very first LNG exports, totaling 1.22 Mt combined. This marks a notable milestone for both nations as they enter the global gas trade for the first time.

What This Means for Nigeria’s Gas Ambitions

Nigeria’s improved LNG performance arrives at a strategic moment. The country continues to push its “Decade of Gas” initiative, an effort aimed at boosting gas production, expanding monetisation, and growing foreign exchange earnings from the sector. Consequently, the latest export figures offer some validation that these efforts are paying off, at least on the trade side.

However, challenges persist beneath the surface. Domestic gas supply issues, pipeline security concerns, and gaps in upstream investment continue to test the industry’s capacity. Therefore, while the higher export numbers point to better utilisation of existing LNG infrastructure, they don’t erase the underlying obstacles that could limit future growth if left unaddressed.

For more context on how liquefied natural gas moves through global markets, readers can explore Wikipedia’s overview of LNG.

Looking ahead, Nigeria’s ability to sustain this momentum will likely hinge on how quickly it can resolve pipeline security issues and attract fresh upstream investment. If the country manages that, its LNG exports growth trajectory could climb even higher in the years ahead.