African growth is currently exceeding global expectation, and with this comes an increase in demand for products, fuels and resources. Although the continent has large amounts of fossil fuels, there is a relatively high demand for compressed natural gas (CNG) in both industrial and commercial markets, due mainly to supply and cost efficiency.
CNG is used worldwide and seen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. In Africa alone the CNG market is worth billions of dollars. Egypt is listed as the top user of CNG in Africa, with Nigeria and Benin following suit. Over the last five years the Southern African CNG market has grown at a fast pace. It is envisioned that the size of this market will supersede the North African territories. While the demand in growth is welcomed, a concern raised by SACGA (Southern Africa Compressed Gas Association) is the lack of safety and safe handling practises, particularly with new installers. There are three main groups of compressed gases: liquefied, non-liquefied and dissolved gas. Each group has health and safety regulations that ensure world class preparation and prevention in handling of these gases. It is vital that new installers are aware of the certification and training requirements.
