Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a clean, scalable and easily deployable solution for energy, and it also enables flexibility, which can bolster energy security at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and, therefore, this must be pursued as part of a diverse energy mix.

This was indicated by speakers during the first day of the LPG SA sub-Saharan Africa LPG Expo, being held this week in Sandton.

World Liquid Gas Association deputy MD Michael Kelly pointed out that energy security is worsening globally and this must be tackled by the industry head-on.

He highlighted 2026 as the year of clean cooking in Africa, despite global disruptions, with this firmly on the agenda at several conferences, dialogues and expos.

Kelly emphasised that South Africa had the opportunity to lead in this, as it endeavoured to address issues of aging infrastructure and balance providing access to energy for citizens with affordability.

He highlighted LPG as relevant, saying it was a pragmatic, easily deployable and scalable component of a diverse energy mix.

“It offers a cleaner alternative to coal, to biomass, to paraffin, to many other competitors, and it supports industrial and commercial continuity during power disruptions,” Kelly acclaimed, adding that it provided households with reliable and efficient energy stores for heating and cooking.

In geopolitical terms, LPG provided flexibility, unlike some other infrastructure-intensive energy systems, and could be stored, distributed and used in rural and urban contexts, Kelly averred. He pointed out that, in a time of geopolitical shocks, this flexibility provided a strategic advantage.

Oryx Energies South Africa MD Pam Indurjeeth echoed these sentiments, while adding that beyond providing an energy solution, the industry encouraged entrepreneurship, created jobs and could facilitate career progression.

She warned that the industry was capital intensive and a highly regulated environment. This, therefore, required a willingness to invest and participate in a compliant manner.

Kelly dubbed Africa as the “last frontier for growth” of the LPG industry globally, with the organisation pursuing this through initiatives such as the Cooking for Life Africa Task Force. This was a platform that allowed investment and know-how to flow into sub-Saharan African markets, he explained.

The organisation is also seeking to bolster participation by women in the industry. Kelly cited a study which showed that women constitute the majority of people in many markets that use LPG.

As increased LPG adoption is pursued, the importance of collaboration, and ensuring safety, was also emphasised by speakers.

Forward7 GM Reema Alashgar highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainability, showcased in the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI), which is a regional effort led by Saudi Arabia to mitigate the impact of climate change on the region. She said the MGI drives Forward7 to accelerate the transition to clean cooking, regarding this transition as both a humanitarian and development requirement.

Alashgar said the company viewed LPG as one of the solutions that was practical, sustainable and proven for delivering immediate impact.

She also announced the launch of Forward7’s Clean Cooking Award, a global award designed to open doors for innovative organisations to develop smart solutions that accelerated clean cooking as an important agenda in their countries.