By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has used its participation at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, to strengthen Nigeria’s engagement with global energy investors and reaffirm the country’s potential as a major destination for gas investment.
The four-day event, brought together energy leaders, investors, policymakers and technology innovators from across the world to discuss the future of the global gas and energy industry.
The NMDPRA highlighted ongoing efforts to create an investment-friendly environment for the country’s midstream and downstream gas sector.
Speaking at a high-level panel session, the Authority Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Umar, highlighted the role of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) in reducing investment risks and helping to unlock private capital for gas infrastructure development.
Umar said the Fund had already deployed significant seed capital to support projects, with an ambition to leverage the intervention to unlock as much as $10 billion in investment for Nigeria’s gas sector.
The MDGIF, he said, is designed to help address some of the infrastructure and financing challenges that have historically slowed the development of Nigeria’s gas value chain.
The NMDPRA’s participation at the Gastech 2026 provided an opportunity to engage directly with international stakeholders at a time when countries are competing for capital, technology and partnerships to expand their energy industries.
For Nigeria, the discussions are particularly significant as the country seeks to increase gas production, expand processing and transportation infrastructure, and strengthen domestic gas supply while positioning gas as a major component of its energy transition and economic development strategy.
Gastech, regarded as one of the major global gatherings for the gas and energy industry, provides a platform where governments, energy companies and investors exchange ideas and explore potential investments and partnerships.
The NMDPRA’s presence therefore goes beyond participation in a conference, offering Nigeria an opportunity to present its regulatory framework, infrastructure priorities and investment opportunities directly to players in the global energy market.
