NCDMB Calls for Pan-African Collaboration in Oil and Gas to Drive Sustainable Development
Accra, Ghana – The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called on African oil and gas-producing nations to deepen regional collaboration in order to unlock the continent’s full energy potential and secure long-term prosperity.
The appeal was made during the Africa Content Forum, a key highlight of the 2025 Africa Oil Week in Accra, where industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered to shape the future of Africa’s energy sector.
Delivering a keynote on behalf of NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Board’s Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, stressed that meaningful local content development could not be achieved by individual nations working in isolation.
“Africa holds over 10 percent of the world’s crude oil reserves and 8 percent of proven natural gas resources, in addition to vast renewable energy potential. Yet, we continue to export raw resources while trading minimally among ourselves. The time has come for us to consolidate our strategies, integrate our policies, and invest in human capital development to build an African energy sector that is truly ours,” Halilu said.
He emphasized that Africa must shift from being a raw materials exporter to a hub of value creation, industrialization, and intra-continental trade. Drawing parallels with the global aircraft industry, he urged countries to specialize in their comparative advantages and leverage regional integration.
Panel sessions at the forum explored frameworks for enhancing regional expertise, expanding local content, financing energy projects, and aligning with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards. The Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) was spotlighted as a model for strengthening indigenous capacity in oil and gas.
Halilu concluded with a rallying call:
“Let us build an African energy sector that is owned, operated, and sustained by Africans – one that provides jobs for our youth, creates wealth for our nations, and delivers true prosperity to our continent.”
The Africa Content Forum drew wide participation from policymakers, operators, service companies, and international stakeholders, signaling strong momentum for regional cooperation in Africa’s energy future.
