The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has called on sub-Saharan African nations to adopt a unified approach to local content development, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration to drive industrialization and economic growth.
Speaking at the 9th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) in Lagos on Tuesday, Engr. Ogbe acknowledged the progress made by countries like Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana in boosting indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector. However, he lamented that fragmented implementation of local content policies continues to slow collective progress across the region.
He emphasized the importance of a collaborative strategy that fosters the exchange of best practices, strengthens cross-border partnerships, and enhances the competitiveness of indigenous companies. In his presentation, titled “Sub-Saharan Africa Local Content Collaboration Strategy,” he outlined key areas where African nations must work together, including policy harmonization, human capital development, infrastructure investment, funding for local enterprises, and technology transfer.
Engr. Ogbe highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as a critical instrument for achieving this regional collaboration, given its potential to integrate 1.3 billion people across 54 countries with a combined GDP of over $3 trillion. He noted that AfCFTA presents an opportunity to streamline trade policies and boost intra-African commerce, which would, in turn, strengthen local content initiatives across the continent.
Addressing the role of human capital development, he pointed out that with approximately 60 percent of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the continent has a vast, young workforce capable of accelerating economic expansion. He stressed that by investing in education, skills development, and technical training, African nations can harness this demographic advantage to drive industrial growth and innovation.
On infrastructure development, he cited large-scale projects such as the Dangote Integrated Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Kenya’s Konza Technology City, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the Lekki Free Trade Zone as examples of initiatives that can spur regional economic growth. He also pointed to Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGAPS), developed by NCDMB in seven locations, as a model for fostering local manufacturing and industrialization.
Engr. Ogbe also underscored the need for a regional financial framework to support indigenous businesses, noting that access to credit facilities, investment incentives, and funding guarantees would strengthen local enterprises. He revealed that the African Energy Bank, established by the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) with the support of NCDMB, will soon be operational and is expected to play a key role in financing Africa’s energy sector.
On technology transfer, he advocated for more joint ventures, research collaborations, and technology-sharing agreements among African nations to drive innovation and the adoption of homegrown solutions. He emphasized that fostering stronger links between academia, research institutions, and industry players is essential for creating a self-reliant petroleum sector that delivers long-term economic benefits.
Earlier in a pre-event session, NCDMB’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, delivered a presentation on “Optimizing Developed Capacities and Capabilities in Africa for the Growth of the Oil and Gas Industry.” He discussed Africa’s hydrocarbon potential, the value of local content development, and strategies for industrialization, urging petroleum-producing nations to prioritize specialization, value addition, and trade harmonization under AfCFTA.
As SAIPEC continues in Lagos, industry leaders and policymakers are expected to further explore opportunities for collaboration in building a more integrated and competitive African energy sector.
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