At a time when its economic performance has been at its weakest in recent months, Nigeria is releasing $80 million to convert 5,500 vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG). The initiative is aimed at reducing pollution from the transport sector.
In Nigeria, the transport sector is as much a priority as health and education. In fact, in this West African country, the most populous on the continent, there are as many vehicles (15 million) as city dwellers (15 million in Lagos), which explains the endless traffic jams in major cities. The other major challenge is air pollution, the main cause of which is the current vehicle fleet, which is made up mainly of ageing combustion-powered vehicles.
While waiting to switch to “all-electric”, which is the long-term solution for decarbonising transport, Nigeria is opting for vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG). The Abuja authorities have just released 100 billion naira ($80 million) to convert 5,500 vehicles to CNG.
The conversion, part of Nigeria’s $2.5 billion Energy Transition Plan, includes 2,700 buses and tricycles, the main modes of transport used by Nigerians. At least 100 conversion stations will be installed progressively across 18 states.
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While the federal government’s investment may seem sustainable at first glance, it should be remembered that natural gas, whether liquefied or compressed, is first and foremost a fossil fuel. But it is considered a transitional energy. More specifically, CNG cars with two tanks emit 85% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than cars powered by diesel and petrol.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi
