Germany and the European Union have launched the Flare4Value project, an initiative targeting Nigeria’s gas-flaring sector while promoting cleaner energy and industrial opportunities, as reported by Punchy Newspaper. The programme was unveiled during Green Diplomacy Week in Abuja.

The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to be one of the world’s top gas-flaring nations, emitting more than 16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2022 alone, while flaring around 275 billion standard cubic feet of gas and forfeiting billions of dollars in potential revenue.

Flare4Value is designed to reduce these emissions and improve gas utilisation. The programme explores converting flare gas into hydrogen, providing alternative energy sources and supporting industrial growth, in line with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.

The project is implemented under H₂-diplo, a German Federal Foreign Office programme executed by GIZ and funded by the International Climate Initiative. H₂-diplo supports Germany’s international energy and climate diplomacy, including the promotion of green hydrogen in partner countries.

Officials emphasised both environmental and economic benefits. Kristina Fuerst, Head of the German–Nigerian Hydrogen Office, said the initiative represents a “milestone” in bilateral cooperation, linking climate action to industrial development. Johannes Lehne, Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, described flare reduction as “both an environmental imperative and an economic opportunity.”

The European Union highlighted the commercial potential. Godfrey Ogbemudia, Programme Manager for Energy, Circular Economy and Climate Change, said the project “creates opportunities through cleaner energy solutions that benefit people and the planet.”

Flare4Value was formally introduced at a virtual meeting on 29 September, followed by Thursday’s high-level Abuja event. Nigerian stakeholders will visit Germany in October for a study tour, with a multistakeholder conference scheduled in Abuja on 4 December 2025 to launch a flare-gas reduction discussion paper and a B2B platform linking Nigerian and German businesses.