CNG or EV? The Debate Over Africa’s Sustainable Transport Future

As African nations strive to cut carbon emissions and reduce air pollution, an increasing number of governments are turning to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles as a viable and cost-effective solution.

While electric vehicles (EVs) dominate the global conversation, many African countries view CNG as a more immediate and accessible alternative given the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities.

CNG, a form of natural gas compressed to less than 1% of its volume, is a cleaner alternative to gasoline and diesel. CNG-powered vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants, making them a practical choice for urban areas struggling with poor air quality.

Additionally, with abundant natural gas reserves in several African nations, CNG adoption enhances energy security and reduces dependence on expensive imported fuels.

Nigeria has emerged as a leader in promoting CNG adoption. The government has launched the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) to ease the impact of fuel subsidy removal and provide a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel.

The initiative includes mass deployment of CNG-powered vehicles and the establishment of autogas conversion plants nationwide.

Egypt has been at the forefront of CNG adoption since launching its Clean Fuels Initiative in 1995. Today, Egypt has over 260,000 CNG-powered vehicles and continues to expand its refueling infrastructure.

Tanzania is also exploring CNG solutions, with a $65 million project aimed at powering vehicles and households with natural gas. The government is even considering a subsidy program to encourage car conversions to CNG.

Beyond these major gas-producing nations, interest in CNG is growing in other African countries. In Kenya, private sector players like Proto Gas are tapping into the market by offering CNG conversion services.

Elijah Karuri, the technical lead at Proto Gas’s CNG conversions unit, emphasizes the cost benefits, noting that natural gas is significantly cheaper than petrol in Kenya.

However, not everyone sees CNG as a long-term solution. Critics argue that investing in CNG risks locking Africa into continued fossil fuel dependence.

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Lorraine Chiponda, Africa coordinator at the Global Gas & Oil Network, contends that promoting CNG is a “misguided” effort by fossil fuel companies to market gas as a cleaner alternative.

She advocates for prioritizing green technology transfer and investments in battery production, EV manufacturing, and charging infrastructure.

The widespread adoption of EVs in Africa faces hurdles such as high upfront costs, limited financing options, inadequate charging infrastructure, and unreliable electricity grids.

As Michael David Terungwa, a climate advocate at the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, points out, “if you have an electric car, where are you going to charge it?”

Despite these challenges, EV interest is rising in Africa. Countries like Morocco and South Africa are leading the way in EV readiness, while several sub-Saharan nations have introduced tax incentives to lower EV costs.

As Africa navigates its energy transition, CNG presents an immediate solution for lowering transport emissions and improving air quality.

While the long-term goal remains a shift to fully renewable energy-powered transportation, CNG can serve as a crucial bridge, delivering immediate benefits while paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.