Natural gas is often made out to be a cleaner alternative to coal and oil. However, it is not the answer to addressing climate change in Africa. Natural gas may emit less carbon dioxide when burnt compared to other fossil fuels, but the process of extracting, transporting and combusting it to produce energy still releases methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas.

Some natural gas extraction processes, such as fracking, are highly destructive to the environment and contribute to the contamination of precious water resources, habitat destruction and harm to local communities and ecosystems.

Investing in natural gas infrastructure would also lock African nations into a dependency on fossil fuels that would prevent the continent from transitioning to more sustainable, renewable energy sources. Africa’s abundant renewable energy sources are a much better option to achieve energy security and economic development.