Nigeria’s push toward cleaner and cheaper alternative fuels has received a major boost following the conclusion of high-level negotiations between the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) and a delegation from China’s Endurance Group, one of Asia’s leading manufacturers of gas mobility infrastructure. The discussions, held in Abuja, resulted in a far-reaching agreement to deploy 500 compressed natural gas (CNG) refuelling stations across the country over the next three years, marking one of the most ambitious clean-energy infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Nigeria’s transportation sector.
Executive Director of the MDGIF, Mr. Oluwole Adama, briefed journalists shortly after the meeting, noting that the talks centered on establishing a strong, government-backed Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will drive nationwide CNG infrastructure development at scale. He described the engagement with the Endurance Group as a major milestone in the execution of the Federal Government’s energy transition and clean mobility agenda.
According to Adama, the newly formed SPV—named the Compressed Natural Gas Auto Mobility Infrastructure Company (CAM InfraCo)—will serve as the central implementation body responsible for planning, constructing, and managing the 500 CNG stations. Beyond refuelling stations, CAM InfraCo will also oversee the development of liquefied-to-compressed natural gas (LCNG) supply infrastructure and coordinate the deployment of CNG and LNG transportation trucks equipped with truck-mounted cascades. This will create a “virtual pipeline” capable of delivering natural gas fuel to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, including regions without existing gas pipeline networks.
Adama highlighted that the collaboration reflects the commitment of both parties to accelerate Nigeria’s shift away from costly and carbon-intensive fuels such as petrol and diesel. “The collaboration underscores the parties’ commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s transition to cleaner fuels by addressing infrastructure gaps across the country’s CNG value chain,” he said.
A Transformational Deal for Nigeria’s Clean Energy Ecosystem
The agreement marks a turning point in Nigeria’s journey toward building a fully functional and commercially viable CNG ecosystem. For years, inadequate refuelling infrastructure has been the biggest barrier to widespread CNG adoption, despite the country’s abundant gas reserves and government-led campaigns promoting gas as the primary transition fuel. The plan to roll out 500 stations nationwide over just three years represents a scale and speed unmatched by earlier initiatives, which were often stalled by fragmentation, funding bottlenecks, and limited private-sector involvement.
By establishing CAM InfraCo as a dedicated implementation company, the Federal Government is signaling a shift from small, scattered CNG projects toward a cohesive, centrally coordinated national rollout. The involvement of the Endurance Group provides the technical expertise, manufacturing capacity, and equipment supply needed to execute such a large undertaking, while the MDGIF ensures financial backing, regulatory alignment, and long-term policy stability.
The deployment of integrated CNG and LCNG stations, together with virtual pipeline trucks, means that no part of the country will be left behind. Regions lacking traditional pipeline infrastructure—especially in the north and underserved rural areas—will still be able to access affordable natural gas fuel delivered by mobile cascades. This approach is designed to encourage mass adoption among commercial fleets, transport unions, logistics companies, and private vehicle owners.
Economic and Social Impact
The implications of the partnership extend far beyond environmental benefits. CNG is significantly cheaper than petrol and diesel, meaning the availability of 500 refuelling stations could reduce transportation costs nationwide, stabilizing prices of goods and services. The initiative is also expected to stimulate job creation across engineering, construction, logistics, and maintenance segments of the economy.
Moreover, ramping up CNG availability supports the broader goals of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), which has struggled to achieve traction due to limited refuelling points. With this agreement, Nigeria now has a realistic pathway to scaling clean mobility technologies and reducing dependence on imported, price-volatile petroleum products.
MDGIF’s role is particularly significant. Just last week, the Federal Government announced that the Fund had committed over N287 billion to gas infrastructure expansion nationwide. This investment aligns with the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which mandates deeper gas penetration, improved energy security, and strengthened industrial capacity.
With the formalization of this new partnership, Nigeria appears poised to make monumental progress toward a cleaner, more economically resilient, and gas-powered transportation future.
