The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has called on international investors to take advantage of opportunities presented by Nigeria’s 2025 oil and gas licensing round, stressing that recent regulatory reforms have created a more transparent and predictable environment for upstream investments.

The Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made the appeal on Tuesday during her remarks at the opening ceremony of the 10th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) 2026 in Lagos.

Eyesan explained that the upcoming licensing round is structured to unlock Nigeria’s vast upstream potential under the investor-friendly framework established by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. She noted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s strategy to leverage renewed global interest in African hydrocarbons to attract credible industry players.

According to her, the 2025 round will make available 50 oil and gas blocks located across different terrains, reflecting what she described as a focused approach to responsible resource development.

She said the continent’s energy investment outlook has strengthened considerably in recent years, with Africa now attracting a larger share of global capital expenditure. Of the estimated $520 billion in global energy investments projected for the year, the continent is expected to secure between $48 billion and $50 billion—more than 8 per cent of the total, compared to less than 4 per cent in earlier years.

“Of the $520 billion projected in worldwide capital investment this year, Africa expects to attract between $48 billion and $50 billion. over 8% of the total. This is a significant increase from previous years when it was below 4 per cent,” she said.

Eyesan attributed the improving outlook to renewed investor interest in both frontier and established basins, including Nigeria, Namibia, and Mozambique.

While encouraging foreign participation, she emphasised the importance of strengthening domestic and regional capital formation, describing it as a key stabilising factor for Africa’s long-term energy development. She noted that indigenous independent operators are already expanding their footprint in Nigeria’s upstream sector, contributing to project execution and financing.

She also identified the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank, headquartered in Nigeria, as a significant step toward boosting indigenous financing capacity, adding that collective stakeholder support would be critical to the institution’s success.

Eyesan further highlighted the growing impact of regional collaboration in areas such as gas development, power infrastructure expansion, and regulatory alignment, noting that such cooperation is improving energy access, reliability, and affordability across the continent. Platforms like the African Petroleum Regulators’ Forum (AFRIPERF), she said, are also helping to strengthen Africa’s collective voice in global energy discussions.