The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, on Tuesday in Lagos underscored the centrality of collaboration and a shared continental vision as Africa’s oil- and gas-producing nations intensify efforts to strengthen local content development and achieve energy sufficiency for sustainable growth.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Africa’s Local Content Collaboration Strategy” at the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC 2026), Engr. Ogbe stressed that collective action remains indispensable to the continent’s energy aspirations.
“Our efforts cannot be siloed; they must be collective,” he stated, emphasising that only coordinated strategies can deliver tangible progress and consolidate existing gains.
According to the NCDMB boss, collaboration among governments, private sector operators—particularly leaders in the oil and gas industry—financial institutions, and host communities has consistently proven to be the bedrock for building resilient and successful local content frameworks across Africa.
Represented by the Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Engr. Ogbe noted that Nigeria has achieved 61 per cent in-country value retention over the past 15 years through a deliberate and systematic local content strategy. He explained that the journey began with deepening indigenous participation across the oil and gas value chain, followed by sustained investments in capacity building.
He added that the Board has introduced policies and guidelines to strengthen compliance, including measures prohibiting the transfer of certifications to intermediaries. The current focus, he said, is to ensure engagement with competent and capable contractors—now a critical requirement in technical tender evaluations.
At the continental level, Engr. Ogbe recalled the strategic commitment made by member countries of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) during their November 2025 meeting in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, to harmonise local content policies and enhance collaboration in the exploration and utilisation of hydrocarbon resources.
He urged African nations to fully leverage the Brazzaville Accord to drive regulatory alignment and sector-wide cooperation.
“By working together across borders, industries, and sectors, we can craft a robust, inclusive, and sustainable local content strategy that propels Africa’s energy sector to greater heights in a rapidly evolving global landscape,” he said.
The NCDMB helmsman also expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB), headquartered in Abuja under APPO in partnership with Afreximbank. He described the development as a strategic milestone that will significantly improve access to financing for energy projects across the continent.
He called on governments, investors, and industry leaders to actively support the operational success of the Bank to ensure it delivers on its mandate.
SAIPEC 2026, which has attracted over 1,200 delegates and more than 150 exhibitors from across the continent, is holding from February 10 to 12 at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.
