Nigeria joins International Energy Agency as association country

Nigeria has become an Association country of the International Energy Agency (IEA), marking a step in the country’s integration into global energy governance and expanding cooperation on energy security, clean energy and sustainable development.

The decision was approved by the IEA Governing Board, making Nigeria the latest country to join the agency’s Association programme, which brings together major energy-producing and energy-consuming nations outside the organisation’s core membership.

The move strengthens ties between the IEA and Africa’s most populous nation, which is home to more than 240 million people and is one of the continent’s largest producers of crude oil and natural gas. Nigeria has also emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing markets for decentralised solar energy, even as millions of people still lack access to electricity and clean cooking.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol described Nigeria’s admission as a milestone for both the country and the agency.

“I am thrilled that Nigeria is joining the IEA – it is Africa’s most populous country and a major international energy player. Nigeria becoming part of the world’s energy authority marks a milestone for global energy governance,” Birol said.

He said closer collaboration would support Nigeria’s efforts to improve energy security, expand energy access and drive economic growth while strengthening the agency’s engagement across Africa.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, welcomed the decision, saying it would deepen the country’s engagement with one of the world’s leading energy institutions.

“It is an honour for Nigeria to join this leading energy agency and I will take this opportunity to encourage the African continent to embrace the IEA, as we all work together to achieve key development goals including universal energy access and industrialisation,” Ekpo said.

The IEA said Nigeria’s growing importance in global energy markets has become increasingly evident in recent years. The country has expanded its refining capacity, helping improve fuel supply resilience in Africa during periods of market disruption, while also accelerating investments in decentralised solar energy, electricity access and clean cooking initiatives.

Nigeria and the IEA have collaborated since 2014. Their partnership has included work on energy security, clean energy transitions and methane emissions. In September 2025, the IEA co-hosted a regional roundtable in Abuja with Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the African Energy Commission on translating methane reduction commitments into action.

The Association programme, launched in 2015, allows the IEA to strengthen cooperation with key energy-producing and consuming economies. Nigeria becomes the programme’s 14th Association country.

According to the agency, Nigeria’s inclusion means countries within the IEA Family now account for more than 80% of global energy demand, up from about 40% when the programme was established a decade ago.