Key points:
- Methane losses in oil and gas represent lost revenue and energy
- Côte d’Ivoire’s Baleine boom raises both risks and opportunities
- Strong policy, finance and technology could cut emissions by over 30 percent
METHANE rarely commands the same attention as carbon dioxide, yet it is one of the most powerful levers in the fight against climate change. Over a 20-year period, methane’s warming impact is more than 80 times stronger than CO₂, making it a critical short-term climate threat—and an equally powerful opportunity for rapid mitigation.
For sub-Saharan Africa, this challenge is becoming increasingly urgent. As countries expand oil and gas production to fuel economic growth and energy access, methane emissions risk rising in parallel. But unlike many climate challenges, methane abatement offers a rare alignment of environmental and economic incentives.
In Côte d’Ivoire, this dynamic is now sharply in focus. The country’s accelerating hydrocarbons sector—anchored by major offshore discoveries—has created new revenue streams, but also exposed inefficiencies in how natural gas is managed. The result is a paradox: valuable energy resources are being lost into the atmosphere at the very moment they are most needed for development.
This feature explores how Côte d’Ivoire can turn methane losses into economic gains, and why doing so could position the country as a regional leader in climate-smart energy governance.
Methane: from invisible pollutant to economic signal
Globally, methane emissions are concentrated in three sectors: agriculture, waste and energy. While agriculture remains the largest contributor, the energy sector—particularly oil and gas—accounts for roughly a third of emissions.
What makes methane in the energy sector uniquely important is its avoidability. Unlike agricultural emissions, which are often diffuse and complex to manage, methane leaks in oil and gas operations are highly concentrated and technically solvable.
Leaks occur in two main ways: unintentionally through faulty equipment such as valves and pipelines, and intentionally through practices like venting and flaring. In many cases, these emissions are not simply environmental failures—they are operational inefficiencies.
The International Energy Agency estimates that methane emissions from oil and gas operations can be reduced by over 75 percent using existing technologies. Many of these solutions—such as leak detection and repair programmes—are relatively low-cost and deliver rapid returns.
This reframes methane from a regulatory burden into a financial signal. Every tonne of methane released represents lost product, lost revenue and lost opportunity for domestic energy use.
Côte d’Ivoire’s oil boom reshapes the stakes
Few countries illustrate this opportunity more clearly than Côte d’Ivoire. Once a modest hydrocarbons producer, the country has rapidly emerged as a significant player in West Africa’s energy landscape, driven in part by major offshore discoveries such as the Baleine offshore project.
At the centre of this transformation is the Baleine field, one of the region’s most important recent offshore discoveries. Already producing more than 62,000 barrels of oil per day and approximately 75 million cubic feet of gas, Baleine is expected to scale up significantly in the coming years.
Alongside established fields such as Espoir, Baobab and Foxtrot, this expansion is strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s role as both a domestic energy supplier and a regional power exporter through the West African Power Pool.
Yet this growth comes with a hidden cost. As production increases, so too does the risk of methane emissions—particularly if operational practices and regulatory frameworks do not keep pace.
The emissions profile: a management problem, not just a leak problem
Data from the World Bank suggests that Côte d’Ivoire’s oil and gas sector emitted approximately 39.6 kilotonnes of methane in 2021, equivalent to around 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
What stands out is not just the scale, but the composition of these emissions. More than 60 percent is attributed to venting—deliberate releases of gas during operations—while nearly 30 percent comes from fugitive leaks. Smaller shares arise from incomplete flaring and other sources.
This profile is significant because it points to a structural issue. Methane losses in Côte d’Ivoire are driven less by unavoidable technical failures and more by operational choices.
In other words, much of the problem is manageable.
Reducing venting through improved gas capture, upgrading infrastructure to minimise leaks, and ensuring efficient flaring practices could dramatically cut emissions while increasing the volume of gas available for productive use.
Policy momentum meets implementation gaps
Côte d’Ivoire has not ignored the issue. The country’s updated climate commitments—its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0)—target a 33.07 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
Methane mitigation is embedded within this framework, particularly in the energy sector. The government has identified the need to monitor and control fugitive emissions, improve data systems, and adopt internationally recognised measurement technologies.
Complementing this is the national action plan on short-lived climate pollutants, which outlines specific measures to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations. These include promoting gas recovery, strengthening regulations on venting, and improving infrastructure across transmission networks.
If fully implemented, these measures could reduce methane emissions by around 34 percent by 2030, with even deeper cuts possible over the longer term.
However, as in many emerging economies, the challenge lies not in policy ambition but in execution.
The three barriers: data, finance and governance
Despite growing momentum, three persistent barriers continue to limit progress.
First is data. Accurate measurement of methane emissions remains weak, with limited monitoring, reporting and verification systems. Without reliable data, it is difficult to design targeted interventions or track progress effectively.
Second is finance. While many methane mitigation technologies are cost-effective, upfront investment remains a hurdle. Financing is often fragmented, with limited access to dedicated funding streams for methane reduction.
Third is governance. Regulatory frameworks are still evolving, and enforcement mechanisms are often underdeveloped. This creates gaps between policy commitments and on-the-ground implementation.
Together, these barriers risk locking in inefficient practices at a critical moment in the sector’s expansion.
Turning losses into opportunity
Yet the opportunity is substantial.
Captured methane can be redirected into domestic energy systems, supporting electricity generation, industrial development and even export markets. In a country where energy demand continues to grow, this represents a valuable resource.
Moreover, proactive methane management could enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s attractiveness to international investors. As global energy markets increasingly prioritise low-emissions supply chains, countries that demonstrate strong environmental governance are likely to gain a competitive edge.
There is also a geopolitical dimension. By aligning with global initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge, Côte d’Ivoire can strengthen its position in international climate negotiations and access new streams of climate finance.
A strategic inflection point
Côte d’Ivoire stands at a pivotal moment. Its oil and gas sector is expanding rapidly, offering significant economic benefits. But without effective methane management, these gains risk being undermined by environmental costs and lost resources.
The choice is not between development and climate action. In the case of methane, the two are closely aligned.
By investing in monitoring systems, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and deploying proven technologies, Côte d’Ivoire can transform methane from a liability into an asset.
The result would be a more efficient energy sector, stronger climate credibility, and a model for other African producers navigating the same transition.
Kassim Gawusu-Toure is a climate change policy expert and interdisciplinary researcher passionate about tackling climate change through practical, real-world solutions. His work spans energy systems, coastal socio-ecological resilience, and sustainable development, with a particular focus on methane mitigation and improving environmental governance in the oil and gas sector. He brings together academic research and hands-on consultancy experience, contributing to policy and technical work for organisations including the FCDO, NORAD, UNFPA, and the Walton Family Foundation
