PETAN, African Partners Launch African Local Content Organisation with NCDMB Support

… Strategic Collaboration Planned with APPO and African Union

Oil and gas service providers from across Africa have come together to form a new continental body — the African Local Content Organisation (ALCO) — with a mission to strengthen collaboration, execute large-scale projects, and retain greater economic value within Africa’s multibillion-dollar energy sector.

The unveiling took place on Day 2 of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek, Namibia. Membership is open to national associations of service providers in the oil, gas, and mining industries across the continent.

PETAN Leads the Charge

Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and a member of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Governing Council, introduced ALCO as the private sector arm of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) — a coalition of African governments involved in oil and gas operations.

He stressed the complementary role of the private sector in building African local content, including:

• Developing competent human capacities

• Deploying advanced technologies and equipment

• Mobilizing private capital

• Executing high-value projects

The official launch of ALCO is scheduled for the 2026 African Union Conference, underscoring its strategic economic significance.

Collaboration with APPO and African Energy Bank

Central to ALCO’s vision is close collaboration with APPO and the African Energy Bank (AEB) — recently established to finance large-scale energy projects and bridge funding gaps across the continent.

Ogunsanya explained that ALCO members are well positioned to execute key aspects of AEB-financed projects, ensuring more value and spending remain within Africa to drive economic growth.

Objectives: Knowledge, Partnerships, and GDP Growth

ALCO’s mission includes:

• Facilitating knowledge and capacity exchange among African service companies

• Promoting joint execution of major industry projects

• Conducting benchmark studies to address sector challenges

• Fostering partnerships across the continent

“As Namibia or any other African country develops energy projects,” Ogunsanya said, “you can count on your African brothers to share our over 70 years of knowledge and experience in the oil and gas industry.”

14 Countries Already On Board

Fourteen African nations — including Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo — have joined ALCO. Ogunsanya currently serves as Interim Chair, with Ibrahim Talla from Senegal as Secretary.

NCDMB’s Strong Endorsement

Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, described ALCO as a vital platform for advancing African local content. Represented by Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services, Ogbe reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to promoting African local content and providing support to ALCO, referencing NCDMB’s pivotal role in establishing the African Energy Bank.