Nigeria’s Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG) has rapidly emerged as one of the country’s most ambitious clean mobility programmes, attracting more than $2 billion in private sector investment in its first two years of operation. The programme, launched as part of the Federal Government’s drive to shift the transport sector towards cleaner and more affordable fuels, has helped breathe new life into a CNG market that was previously dormant.
The Executive Chairman and CEO of PiCNG, Ismaeel Ahmed, revealed the investment figures during an event held in Abuja to unveil a suite of new CNG technologies produced by Alfa Design Nigeria Limited. Represented by PiCNG’s Chief Compliance Officer, Zayyanu Tambari, the CEO stressed that the initiative has transformed Nigeria’s natural gas landscape in just 24 months.
According to Ahmed, the CNG sector had virtually no meaningful investment or commercial presence prior to 2023, with few companies willing to commit capital to a market that lacked infrastructure, regulation, and clear government direction. The creation of PiCNG changed that outlook dramatically.
“As of 2023, when this programme started, the CNG sector was virtually non-existent. Today, we have attracted over $1.8 billion in investments, and we have rounded that figure up to $2 billion in private sector commitment,” he said. Ahmed described the progress as proof that well-designed policy can unlock dormant opportunities in the energy sector.
The Abuja showcase highlighted several indigenous and international companies now involved in Nigeria’s growing CNG ecosystem. Exhibits included CNG conversion kits developed by Mijo AutoGas, CNG cylinders manufactured by EKC International, a CNG Mother Station created by CIMC ENRIC, and an Optical Gas Imaging Camera from Opgal Optronics, used to detect gas leaks and improve safety standards.
Targets for 2027 and Economic Impact
Looking ahead, Ahmed stated that PiCNG is now targeting $5 billion in total investments by 2027, describing the milestone as both realistic and modest given the interest currently shown by private companies in manufacturing, distribution, and gas technology services. He suggested future investment could move into “double-digit figures” as the ecosystem matures and more players enter the market.
The initiative is also driving significant job creation. Ahmed noted that PiCNG has already generated over 80,000 direct jobs, ranging from mechanical technicians and fuel-system engineers to logistics workers and safety personnel. Using a conservative ratio of indirect to direct jobs—estimated at four to one—the programme may have helped create hundreds of thousands of additional employment opportunities across the value chain. By 2027, PiCNG expects to reach 300,000 direct jobs, positioning the CNG sector as a major economic pillar.
Rapid Expansion of CNG Infrastructure
A major focus of the initiative has been building infrastructure needed to support CNG adoption. When President Bola Tinubu announced the programme in 2023, Nigeria had only seven CNG conversion centres nationwide. Today, that figure has increased to 369 centres, with more being commissioned almost every day. The government has set an ambitious target of 3,000 centres by 2027, and Ahmed believes the target may be surpassed if the current growth trajectory holds.
Refuelling capacity has expanded just as quickly. In 2023, the country had only 20 CNG refuelling stations. Currently, more than 68 licensed stations are operational and an additional 150 stations are under construction. By 2027, PiCNG expects to facilitate the rollout of 2,000 to 2,500 retail outlets dedicated to CNG distribution.
Government Push and Policy Direction
The PiCNG programme is central to Nigeria’s effort to reconfigure its energy mix, reduce dependency on imported petrol and diesel, and promote a gas-based economy. The initiative aligns closely with the government’s industrial policy framework, which emphasizes a transition strategy built on “Gas, Green and Growth”, leveraging Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves.
In November, Vice-President Kashim Shettima urged domestic car manufacturers to ramp up production of CNG-compatible vehicles, as well as electric mobility solutions, to meet rising demand for cleaner transport options. He said the automotive sector remains a vital engine for technology transfer, job creation, and economic diversification under the federal government’s industrialization strategy.
As the CNG market gains momentum and more companies seek opportunities in gas conversion technology, storage manufacturing, and fuelling infrastructure, the PiCNG initiative appears to be setting the foundation for a new era in Nigeria’s transport economy. If current trends continue, Nigeria could position itself as a leading CNG hub in Africa—reducing emissions, lowering transport costs, and unlocking billions of dollars in industrial growth along the way.
