By Chioma Obinagwam
NCDMB says cross-border collaboration essential for Africa’s energy futBy Chioma Obinagwam
Collaboration among African oil-producing countries is essential for the sustainable development of the continent’s oil and gas industry, experts emphasized at the Africa Content Forum, held during the 2025 Africa Oil Week in Accra, Ghana.
Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), delivered the keynote address, represented by Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services. Halilu stressed that no single African nation can fully develop its local content potential without partnering with others. “No single African country can fully develop its local content potentials and support the oil and gas industry without the collaboration of other nations, hence the need for close partnership with other nations,” he said.
Highlighting Africa’s vast resources, Halilu noted that the continent holds over 10% of global crude oil reserves and 8% of proven natural gas resources, alongside critical materials for renewable energy. He lamented the minimal intra-country trade, with many African nations exporting raw materials to developed countries instead of fostering regional trade to drive industrialization and prosperity.
Halilu advocated for a robust policy framework with strong governance, enforcement, and human capital development to scale local content programs across borders. He emphasized the importance of technology development, stating, “Local content policy without research and development will remain static.” On cross-border collaboration, he added, “Africa’s diverse capabilities are its greatest strength with strong collaboration. Just as a Boeing or Airbus is built with components from different countries, we can build a thriving African energy sector by specializing and trading with one another, where each country specializes in areas where it has a comparative advantage.”
He urged a shift in perspective, viewing local content not as a social responsibility but as a strategy to retain capital and build global competitiveness. “Let us build an African energy sector that is owned, operated, and sustained by Africans. A sector that provides jobs for our youth, creates wealth for our nations, and brings true prosperity to our continent,” Halilu said.
The forum, attended by policymakers, oil and gas companies, original equipment manufacturers, and stakeholders from Africa and beyond, featured four panel sessions. The first session explored strategies for African content growth, with panelists calling for deliberate planning and bold policies to prioritize African solutions. The second session focused on building African capacity and expertise, while the third highlighted cross-border projects and knowledge sharing, emphasizing the need to break silos and share best practices.
The fourth session, moderated by Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, NCDMB’s General Manager of Corporate Communications, addressed funding for African content. Panelists discussed strategies to attract sustainable investment, the importance of decarbonizing operations, and compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations. They also explored innovative funding options and showcased the success of the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) in enhancing Nigeria’s oil and gas capabilities.
The discussions underscored the power of partnership and the potential for African nations to leverage their collective strengths to build a thriving, self-sustaining energy sector.
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