Harrison EDEH
THE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is pushing for stronger local content policies, deeper regional collaboration and advance Africa’s energy growth.
The board further called for increased investment in technology and human capital to fast-track Africa’s industrialisation and strengthen its position in the global energy market.
The call was made on Tuesday, September 1,during the Africa Local Content Programme at the ongoing Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
The programme, themed “Building African Capacity, Competitiveness and Collaboration Across the Upstream Value Chain,” was organised by the NCDMB in partnership with the African Union (AU) and Ghana’s Petroleum Commission.
Notably,the Africa Oil week is a leading international conference that brings together governments, regulators, investors, industry leaders and service providers to discuss policies, investment opportunities, technological advancement and the future of Africa’s oil and gas industry.
Earlier in his opening address on “From Resource Ownership to Industrial Power,” NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Board’s Director of Corporate Services, Abdulmalik Halilu, urged African nations to shift from merely owning natural resources to building sustainable industrial capacity capable of creating lasting economic value.
He stressed that local content policies should encourage cross-border utilisation of African expertise and resources to accelerate the continent’s industrial transformation.
According to him, effective local content frameworks should promote research and innovation, local employment, strategic partnerships, indigenous ownership, supply chain development, sustainable operations, increased use of locally manufactured goods and greater contributions to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Also at the event, NCDMB’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Ajimijaye Omomehin, participated in a session on “Harmonising and Standardising Technology and Policy: Driving Change Through the Brazzaville Accord,” where discussions focused on aligning technology and policy frameworks to boost regional integration and energy development.
The Board’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Obinna Ezeobi, moderated a session titled “Market Entry Insights: Unlocking Africa’s Most Compelling Upstream Opportunities,” while Halilu joined other industry leaders to discuss strategies for attracting greater investment into Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector.
Participants agreed that strong local content policies can attract investment and reduce operational costs but emphasised the need for stable regulations, predictable business environments and investor-friendly policies to encourage long-term capital inflow.
Other NCDMB officials also featured prominently in strategic discussions.
Assistant Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics, Erefagha Turner, highlighted the importance of sustainable financing for indigenous companies during a session on “Unlocking Capital for African Content Growth.” He cited the Nigerian Content Intervention (NCI) Fund as a successful model that has strengthened the technical and operational capacity of indigenous oil and gas service firms.
Similarly, the Manager of Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building, Engr. Dokubo Obongo, underscored the need for continuous skills development, technical training and investment in human capital during a session on “Investing in Talent: Building Africa’s Energy Workforce.”
Omomehin also contributed to discussions on developing regional oil and gas industrial hubs, advocating stronger collaboration among African nations to establish integrated industrial clusters.
The conference concluded that improved access to finance, harmonised policies, technological innovation, workforce development and regional cooperation remain essential to transforming Africa’s abundant natural resources into sustainable industrial and economic growth.
NCDMB said its participation at Africa Oil Week 2026 reflects its commitment to advancing local content, strengthening indigenous capacity and promoting cross-border partnerships to build a competitive and sustainable African energy industry.
