Featured, Oil & Gas
By Anthony Isibor
AFRICAN and international energy regulators and experts have called for stronger cooperation and collaboration among African oil producers.
The participants, who gathered in Lagos on Tuesday for the 8th Sub-Saharan International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, SAIPEC2024 to discuss the next steps in accelerating African Content, agreed that energy sustainability in Africa depends largely on regional collaboration.
Speaking at the opening of the 3-day Conference and Exhibition, themed “Next steps: Accelerating African Content”, Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General African Petroleum Producers Organisation, APPO, stated that the salvation of the African oil and gas industry in this challenging era of energy transition lies in cooperation and collaboration among African States.
He queried the wisdom in relying on foreign countries to provide the markets, funding, and technology for the African oil and gas industry and called for collective efforts at developing the solution to the various challenges confronting the sector in the continent.
According to him, African leaders and energy experts should come together to develop home grown solutions to the energy challenges.
He disclosed that that to this end, APPO is already working towards ensuring that it creates regional centres of excellence across different regions of the continent in order to tackle the issues of Finance and technology expertise.
“We do not believe that Nigeria or Kenya or Mozambique or any of these individual countries has what it takes to be able to say that it has mastered the technology in the oil and gas industry.
“I must admit that some countries have gone very far, Nigeria is one, Algeria is another, but this notwithstanding, Nigeria, cannot do it alone. And that is why we are coming together as a continent to develop these various institutions so that it may be established in Nigeria or Algeria or Angola, it belongs to all of us.
In his welcome address, Nicholas Odinuwe, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Chairman, PETAN, noted that the time has come for Africa to take its place and tell its stories.
He reiterated the power of the African Continent and its ability to shape the narratives, changes and drive economic growth.
He explained that the theme resonates deeply with Africa as it signifies a collective determination to propel African Content to break barriers and to create opportunities.
“Today we embark on a journey that holds tremendous potential for African Continent and its thriving content industry.
“We firmly believe that the time has come for Africa to take the centre stage to showcase its rich cultural heritage and to tell these stories to the world.
“Today we gather not only to discuss strategies, but to foster the collaboration that will drive this acceleration.
“We have a unique opportunity to leverage on our collective strength to pull resources to create an ecosystem that nurtures talent, fosters innovation and empowers our content creators.
Odinuwe also explained the importance of technology as an enabler that allows us to create, connect and distribute content like never before.
He noted that although it is time to build and accelerate the growth of African Content, Africans must ensure that they preserve the essence of what makes that contentment so unique.
He also called on government institutions to refrain from illegally taking the oil and gas stakeholders local content development fund as part of its budgetary allocations.
Similarly, Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC noted that the global energy Landscape is currently experiencing a rapid change due to climate conditions.
According to him, issues to be considered must include the global mandate on climate action, Implications on energy sector, Natural resources: Myriad of opportunities.
“As we gather here today, we come together with a shared purpose to chart a course for sustainable development and prosperity of the African oil and gas sector in the face of rapidly evolving energy dynamics.
“Time has come for African Petroleum Regulatory agencies to come together to discuss our common challenges with a view to achieving our common objectives
To this effect, Komolafe called for the establishment of an African Petroleum Regulatory Forum to help in shaping the collaborative landscape of Africa as well as have a united voice for stronger and more effectual representation on the global stage.
He also explained that although Nigeria holds a huge promise for Africa and has the potential to emerge as a super power given its strategic geopolitical importance, large market size, teeming youth population, abundant natural and energy resources, however, the realization of this potential will depend on how we effectively address our challenges and leverage our strength in the coming year.
In addition, Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB represented by Abdulmalik Halilu, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, called for competition among African energy producers to allow for more investment.
A.I
Tags: APPO chairman Nicholas Odinuwe Omar Farouk Ibrahim PETAN Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria SAIPEC2024
