Nigeria, EU explore LNG supply to European countries

EU unveils €820m digital economy package
Options for increased supply of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from Nigeria to the European Union have been considered and agreement reached.

This came up Sunday night when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received a delegation of the European Commission, led by its Executive Vice President, Margrethe Vestager, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

A statement signed by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, and made available to newsmen, yesterday, explained that issues discussed at the meeting included use of digital technology, trade and investment.

The statement said both parties would convene a technical meeting shortly.

The European Commission’s Executive Vice President informed Osinbajo on the announcement by President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, of a Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package worth €150 billion.

In that context, she announced a EU-Nigeria Digital Economy Package of about €820 million until 2024. The package will help enhance secure connectivity, digitalise public services, support entrepreneurship and build digital skills, while developing a human-centric, democratic governance framework for technology.

Osinbajo expressed relief that the EU supports Nigeria’s view that gas should be considered a transition fuel as the global community moves towards net-zero emissions targets.

In his words: “We are relieved to hear of the EU’s support on gas as a transition fuel. It’s some bit of relief.”

Nigeria has been at the forefront of international advocacy on the issue, with the Vice President speaking and writing about it in different international fora.