African countries must intensify cross-border collaboration and regulatory alignment to accelerate local content development and strengthen the continent’s competitiveness in the global energy market, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Ogbe, has said.

Speaking at the 2026 edition of the Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) in Lagos, Ogbe emphasized that collaboration among governments, private sector operators, and local communities remains the foundation for sustainable local content growth across Africa.

The keynote address, delivered on his behalf by the NCDMB Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, was titled “Africa’s Local Content Collaboration Strategy” and formed part of activities marking SAIPEC’s 10th anniversary.

Ogbe noted that lessons from previous industry engagements show that Africa’s local content journey is still evolving, stressing that coordinated continental action is essential to achieve meaningful progress.

“Our efforts cannot be siloed; they must be collective to ensure, not only real progress, but, consolidation of our collective efforts,” he said, adding that collaboration must remain the cornerstone of Africa’s energy strategies.

Highlighting Nigeria’s experience, he explained that the country’s local content framework has evolved through deliberate phases, beginning with deepening indigenous participation, followed by capacity development and the introduction of policies aimed at ensuring that only competent contractors handle industry certifications and technical tenders.

At the continental level, the NCDMB boss urged African countries to leverage the Brazzaville Accord to drive regulatory harmonization and sectoral cooperation, noting that aligned frameworks would reduce project bottlenecks and improve access to global financing.

“Our drive for Africa must be anchored on collaboration. We must collectively leverage the Brazzaville Accord to promote regulatory harmonization, sectoral cooperation, and an Afro-centric approach to local content development. By aligning our frameworks and minimizing bottlenecks, we can make our projects more competitive and economically viable to enable us to compete for funds globally,” Ogbe noted.

He also described the planned Africa Energy Bank — being developed by the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) in partnership with Afreximbank — as a strategic milestone that will mobilize capital for African energy projects, expand affordable financing options, and strengthen the capacity of indigenous industry players.

Ogbe called on governments, regulators, investors, and industry leaders to support the successful operationalization of the bank, stressing that access to financing remains critical to unlocking the continent’s energy potential.

He concluded that Africa’s energy future depends on shared vision and sustained collaboration across borders and sectors, noting that inclusive and coordinated local content strategies would drive sustainable growth and position the continent for greater participation in the global energy market.

“I cannot overemphasize the fact that the path forward for the African Energy Sector, requires collaboration and shared vision. By working together, across borders, industries, and sectors, we will be able to craft a robust, all-inclusive, and sustainable local content strategies that propels Africa’s energy sector to new and greater heights in a rapidly changing World,” Ogbe added.