Shell Nigeria Gas has strengthened its partnership with the government of Anambra State to expand gas-based energy solutions aimed at improving power reliability, lowering industrial energy costs and accelerating economic growth in the southeastern Nigerian state.
The collaboration was highlighted during the Anambra Energy Stakeholders Forum held in Awka, the state capital, where manufacturers, energy executives and policymakers discussed the transition from diesel-powered systems to natural gas as a more efficient and sustainable energy alternative for industries.
Representing Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Secretary to the State Government, Solo Chukwulobelu, said: “The state has been working over the past two years to develop a strategy that will support industrialisation through improved energy infrastructure”.
He noted that the administration’s broader economic vision is to transform Anambra into a productive manufacturing hub by strengthening the energy systems required to power industries and support long-term economic expansion.
The Commissioner for Industry, Christian Udechukwu, said the partnership with Shell Nigeria Gas is expected to enhance energy reliability for manufacturers while promoting cleaner and more efficient industrial power systems aligned with Nigeria’s national gas development strategy.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Chiamaka Nnake, said the government has been investing in infrastructure such as road networks and urban development to attract investors, adding that transitioning from diesel to gas would significantly reduce operational costs and improve the state’s investment climate.
Speaking at the forum, the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas, Ralph Gbobo, said the company is committed to supporting Nigeria’s industrial transformation by expanding gas infrastructure capable of delivering reliable and cost-efficient energy to manufacturers.
Gbobo noted that natural gas offers a strategic advantage for industries seeking to reduce production costs, improve operational efficiency and manage energy price volatility, adding that Shell’s investments are designed to stimulate industrial productivity and strengthen economic value chains.
Also speaking, Brian Murivki said Shell’s long-term strategy is to expand access to reliable and affordable gas energy across key industrial clusters in West Africa.
He noted that transitioning manufacturers from diesel to natural gas would significantly improve industrial competitiveness by lowering energy costs, improving efficiency and enabling businesses to operate with greater economic stability.
Providing further insight into the company’s plans, Shell Nigeria Gas New Business Development Manager, Feyi Fabunmi, said the stakeholder forum was designed to bring together manufacturers, industrial customers and policymakers to discuss Shell’s gas solutions and the progress made through its collaboration with the Anambra State Government.
Fabunmi explained that many manufacturers across the region currently depend heavily on diesel generators due to unreliable electricity supply, a situation that increases production costs and places significant pressure on industrial profitability.
She said Shell Nigeria Gas aims to address this challenge by providing natural gas as a safer, cleaner and more reliable alternative energy source capable of improving operational efficiency and strengthening long-term energy security for businesses.
According to Fabunmi, the gas supplied by the company is specifically designed for industrial applications, including powering manufacturing facilities, generating heat for production processes and fuelling boilers used in large-scale industrial operations.
She added that Shell recently delivered a comprehensive gas master plan to the Anambra State Government, outlining the infrastructure required to expand gas distribution across the state.
The plan, she said, provides a strategic roadmap for supporting industrial growth by ensuring manufacturers have access to stable, affordable and scalable energy solutions capable of driving long-term economic development.