Obiang calls for regional gas projects in Africa
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Realequatorialguinea
Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo called for better coordination between gas-producing and gas-consuming countries and the development of regional projects to industrialise Africa. In Moscow, he also advocated better access to finance and technology for developing countries, according to Realequatorialguinea.
Equatorial Guinean President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo proposed on Tuesday in Moscow stronger coordination between gas-producing and gas-consuming countries and the development of regional projects to support Africa’s industrialisation. He was speaking at the eighth Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), which focused on energy security and international cooperation.
Obiang also called for diplomatic efforts to be stepped up to end conflicts, energy infrastructure to be protected and the security of international navigation to be guaranteed. He advocated revising unilateral trade restrictions and improving developing countries’ access to finance and technology.
The head of state cited gas cooperation between Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Nigeria as an example of projects that could improve energy supply, promote industry and create jobs. Russian President Vladimir Putin backed the priorities presented by his counterpart, according to the forum’s report.
The proposal came a day after Obiang’s participation in the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on 26 October. The GECF brings together Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia and Venezuela, among others.
