Nigeria among nine nations responsible for 83% of global gas flaring in 2025

A World Bank Global Gas Flaring Tracker report identifies nine countries—Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Mexico, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria and the United States—as accounting for more than four‑fifths of global gas flaring in 2025. Together they generate 83% of the 167 billion cubic metres of gas that was flared, representing an estimated $54 billion loss and a volume roughly equal to Africa’s entire annual gas consumption.

Nigeria’s flaring volume rose 8% in 2025, matching an 8% increase in its crude‑oil output, while flaring intensity remained largely unchanged. The World Bank attributes the persistent waste to inadequate gas‑gathering and processing infrastructure, aging facilities and frequent system downtime. Eliminating routine flaring globally would require an estimated $70‑100 billion in investment, less than twice the annual value of the gas currently wasted.

World Bank officials stressed the urgency: "At a time when many countries are struggling to increase affordable and reliable energy, the economic development costs of continued flaring are simply too high," said Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director for Energy. "The technologies, policies, regulations and financing mechanisms needed to capture and utilise associated gas are available. What is missing… is the leadership, prioritisation and governance needed to put these solutions into practice," added Zubin Bamji, Manager for the Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Partnership. The report notes that countries like Kazakhstan have achieved substantial reductions, demonstrating that decisive action can yield results.