Ghana, Nigeria Considering a Barter Deal to Exchange Gas for Electricity – Energy Minister Reveals

It is emerging that Ghana and Nigeria are in talks over a barter trade agreement that could reshape West Africa’s energy landscape.

Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor has revealed that under the proposed deal, Nigeria would supply natural gas to Ghana, which would then convert it into electricity and re-export part of that power back to Nigeria.

The groundbreaking plan was revealed at the Future Energy Conference in Accra, describing it as a model of regional cooperation.

The minister indicated that Ghana already takes gas from Nigeria to generate power. The government, therefore, finds it prudent to open discussions about how to create a barter arrangement where Ghana will take its gas, convert it into power, and supply electricity back to Nigeria in the spirit of West African cooperation.

Ghana already exports power to neighbouring Togo, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin, and hopes to strengthen its role as a hub for regional power integration.

“We believe we can work together. Ghana takes gas from Nigeria, generates power, and re-exports. We are in discussions to see if we can create a barter arrangement where we take their gas, convert it into power, and supply electricity back to Nigeria in the spirit of West African cooperation,” the Minister explained.

The Minister also highlighted Ghana’s nuclear energy ambitions as part of efforts to guarantee a stable baseload supply for West Africa.

Experts believe that, if successful, the barter arrangement could deepen energy ties between Ghana and Nigeria, ease Nigeria’s electricity shortfalls, and provide Ghana with a more secure source of gas.

Moreover, beyond stabilising power supply, it could also accelerate industrial growth, reduce energy poverty, and set the stage for stronger economic integration within ECOWAS.

This year’s conference, organised by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, centred on “Financing Africa’s Energy” with a focus on mobilising capital to tackle energy poverty and unlock growth across the continent.

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