Global Gas Flaring Reaches 167 Billion Cubic Meters, Matching Africa's Annual Consumption
Global gas flaring rose for a third straight year in 2025, reaching 167 billion cubic meters despite growing energy security concerns The World Bank estimates the wasted gas is worth about $54 billion and could help meet major energy needs if captured and used Libya, Algeria and Nigeria are among. . .
Global gas flaring rose for a third straight year in 2025, reaching 167 billion cubic meters despite growing energy security concernsThe World Bank estimates the wasted gas is worth about $54 billion and could help meet major energy needs if captured and usedLibya, Algeria and Nigeria are among the nine countries responsible for more than 80% of global gas flaringThe volume of gas flared worldwide reached 167 billion cubic meters in 2025, even as disruptions in global energy markets have prompted many countries to strengthen their energy security. According to theGlobal Gas Flaring Tracker 2025report, published by the World Bank on Tuesday, June 23, the amount of natural gas wasted through flaring rose for a third consecutive year. An Underutilized Energy ResourceThe World Bank estimates that the gas lost through flaring is worth about $54 billion. The volume of gas flared last year was nearly equivalent to Africa’s total annual gas consumption and exceeded the annual volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transported through the Persian Gulf. “At a time when many countries are struggling to increase affordable and reliable energy, the economic development costs of continued flaring are simply too high,” said Demetrios Papathanasiou, the World Bank’s global director for energy. According to him, the gas currently being flared could be used to power industries, drive economic growth and strengthen energy security. A Practice Concentrated in a Few RegionsNine countries account for more than 80% of the gas flared worldwide, including three in Africa: Libya, Algeria and Nigeria. Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Mexico and the United States are also among the countries responsible for the highest levels of gas flaring. The institution estimates that between $70 billion and $100 billion in investment would be needed to eliminate routine flaring worldwide. It noted, however, that the required technologies already exist and that the main obstacles are related to public policy, infrastructure and financing. The findings contrast with the significant energy needs that persist across the African continent. According to theTracking SDG7 2025report, published on June 25, 2025, by the International Energy Agency, sub-Saharan Africa still had 565 million people without access to electricity in 2023, representing 85% of the global access deficit. Nigeria, which has the largest population not connected to the electricity grid, is also among the world’s largest gas-flaring countries. Abdoullah Diop