The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has called for stronger collaboration among African nations, governments, and industry stakeholders to advance local content development across the continent’s energy sector.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary edition of the Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC 2026), Ogbe emphasized that collective action remains critical to shaping Africa’s energy future.
The conference, themed “Africa’s Local Content Collaboration Strategy,” brought together policymakers, energy executives, and global partners to deliberate on sustainable growth within the industry.
Ogbe noted that insights from SAIPEC 2025 revealed that while progress has been made in fostering local content, significant work remains.
He stressed that Africa’s success depends on cooperation rather than isolated efforts.
“Our efforts cannot be siloed; they must be collective to ensure not only real progress but the consolidation of our shared gains,” he said, adding that collaboration between governments, private sector operators, and local communities forms the foundation for effective local content strategies.
Highlighting Nigeria’s approach, the NCDMB boss explained that the country has adopted a deliberate and systematic framework focused on increasing indigenous participation, strengthening capacity, and implementing policies that prevent the transfer of certifications to intermediaries.
According to him, the move is designed to ensure that only competent contractors participate in technical tenders.
At the continental level, Ogbe urged African countries to leverage the Brazzaville Accord to promote regulatory harmonization, enhance sectoral cooperation, and adopt an Afro-centric model for local content development.
Aligning regulatory frameworks and reducing operational bottlenecks, he said, would improve project competitiveness and attract global financing.
He described the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank by the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), in partnership with Afreximbank, as a strategic milestone for the continent.
The bank is expected to mobilize capital for energy projects, improve access to affordable financing, strengthen industry players, and expand capacity across Africa.
Ogbe therefore called on governments, regulators, investors, and industry leaders to support the operational success of the bank to unlock sustainable growth in the energy sector.
He concluded that Africa’s energy future hinges on a shared vision and cross-border cooperation.
“By working together across borders, industries, and sectors, we can craft robust, inclusive, and sustainable local content strategies that will propel Africa’s energy sector to greater heights in a rapidly changing world,” he said.