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Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz before the departure of his third major trip to Africa

Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stressed the interest in gas imports from the West African country of Nigeria. "Nigeria has the largest gas reserves in Africa," Scholz said in an interview with the Nigerian newspaper The Punch. German companies have an interest in gas supplies from Nigeria and look forward to working with Nigerian gas companies." Germany is also focusing on joint initiatives to advance the production of hydrogen as an energy carrier of the future.

Gas supply plays an important role

Although Germany buys a large amount of oil from Nigeria, it does not yet buy gas. During the Chancellor's first trip to Africa last year, gas supply had already played a prominent role. In Senegal, Scholz offered German participation in the development of gas fields off the coast of the West African country. This has been sharply criticized by climate activists because it is a fossil fuel that generates climate-damaging gases. The German government argues that gas will continue to be needed for the transition phase to renewable energies.

On Sunday morning, Scholz set off on his third major trip to Africa in his less than two years as Chancellor. In addition to Nigeria, the continent's most economically powerful and populous country, he also plans to visit Ghana in West Africa. In addition to the energy sector, he also sees potential for increased cooperation in other sectors in Nigeria, Scholz said in the interview. He mentioned infrastructure, agriculture, mineral resources, information and communication technology, transport and logistics.

He also called for a reform of the UN Security Council, "in which African states in particular must have a permanent seat and be heard more." Currently, the United Nations' most powerful body consists of five permanent members, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and China, as well as ten rotating members. Germany is also seeking a permanent seat in the event of a reform.

mas/dpa/Reuters