The Third African Refiners and Distributors Association, ARDA Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Forum will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from November 24-25, 2026. The theme, "Unlocking Africa’s LPG Potential: A Catalyst for Industrialisation, Energy Security and an Inclusive Energy Transition," reflects the growing importance of LPG in Africa's downstream energy sector. With nearly one billion Africans relying on firewood and charcoal for cooking, the forum aims to finalize partnerships and drive investments forward. LPG has emerged as the continent's fastest-growing petroleum product.
According to Anibor O. Kragha, Executive Secretary of ARDA, the urgency of scaling LPG infrastructure stems from a major human crisis. Household air pollution from dirty fuels claims approximately 815,000 lives across the continent every year. The deficit in clean cooking access remains staggering, with only 11 million individuals gaining access to clean cooking fuels between 2022 and 2023, despite a population expansion of 30 million people. Africa's economic growth will depend on investing in critical infrastructure that connects gas supply to household demand.
LPG accounts for 76 percent of all individuals gaining clean cooking access in Sub-Saharan Africa, but regional consumption patterns reveal stark disparities. In 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa consumed 6.4 million tonnes of LPG, equating to just 4.8 kilograms per person. In contrast, North Africa consumes over 50 kilograms per person annually. Despite infrastructure limits, market demand grew by 12 percent last year, and CITAC Africa forecasts that regional demand will nearly triple to 17 million tonnes by 2045.
The supply chain remains underbuilt, with no sub-Saharan terminal capable of discharging a full Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) cargo of approximately 45,000 tonnes. Only about 20 storage facilities across the continent hold 10,000 tonnes or more, with stock levels frequently covering just 10 days of demand or less. Most African buyers rely on small, expensive spot-market cargoes rather than long-term, price-predictable contracts. This makes them vulnerable to global disruptions, such as the 2026 Strait of Hormuz closure.
To scale clean cooking, the physical fuel supply chain must be expanded. This requires targeted capital across five essential links of the value chain, including keeping more African-produced LPG on the continent, building VLGC-capable terminals and strategic bulk storage, and expanding local cylinder manufacturing and bottling capacity. Strengthening transport networks and expanding cylinder recirculation systems are also crucial. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that achieving universal clean cooking access across Africa will require roughly $2 billion in annual investment through 2040.
A regional-hub consortium model is proposed to bring together diverse interests and leverage unique strengths of various international and domestic players. This structure brings an international trader on as operator, anchors the project with US supply contracts, utilizes an African National Oil Company as host, secures capital from Gulf or multilateral development financiers, and relies on local African marketers to handle last-mile distribution. US producers, international traders, and Gulf partners are expected to play key roles in this model.
Investment opportunities span three distinct geographical profiles across the continent: Anchor Markets, Corridor Hubs, and Frontiers. Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Angola account for over half of all sub-Saharan LPG demand, with Nigeria targeting 5 million tonnes annually by 2030. The forum will discuss ways to unlock Africa's LPG potential and drive investments forward to achieve universal clean cooking access.
Key points
- The Third African Refiners and Distributors Association, ARDA Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Forum will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from November 24-25, 2026.
- LPG has emerged as the continent's fastest-growing petroleum product and primary engine for clean cooking access.
- Achieving universal clean cooking access across Africa will require roughly $2 billion in annual investment through 2040.
