Nigeria Leads Africa in Launch of Petroleum Regulators Forum
Nigeria has taken the lead in uniting Africa’s oil and gas regulators under a single umbrella, with the formal signing of a charter to establish the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF).
The landmark ceremony, chaired by the Chief Executive of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, held on Thursday during the 31st Africa Oil Week in Accra, Ghana.
Regulators from 16 African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Angola, Morocco, and South Africa, attended the event, while Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Upstream Chairman, Senator Etang Williams, observed proceedings.
Eight countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo, formally signed the AFRIPERF Charter. Seven others pledged support but opted to consult further before appending their signatures.
NUPRC spokesperson Eniola Akinkuotu, in a Sunday statement, described the charter as a “historic milestone” that capped a process Komolafe initiated last year.
The forum held its inaugural meeting in July 2024, followed by another in November, paving the way for Thursday’s breakthrough.
Komolafe, who now serves as interim chairman of the forum, hailed the signing as “a decisive step towards building a harmonised and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.”
He said, “From our initial announcement at the 8th SAIPEC to our inauguration during the NOG 2024 event and the careful drafting of the AFRIPERF Charter, each milestone has brought us closer to this historic day.”
According to him, Africa must manage its hydrocarbon resources responsibly as the world transitions toward cleaner energy.
“By activating our Executive Committee, Technical Committee, and Secretariat, we are establishing the functional pillars that will drive AFRIPERF forward, ensuring that our shared vision is translated into measurable results with defined timelines and accountability,” he added.
The charter defines AFRIPERF’s mission as enhancing cooperation among petroleum regulators to ensure safe, equitable, and sustainable oil and gas development.
It also outlines a vision of creating a premier knowledge-sharing platform to set continental standards and promote investment.
Komolafe urged members to strengthen collaboration with Africa Oil Week by aligning AFRIPERF’s Annual General Meeting with the AOW calendar to increase participation and visibility.
NUPRC explained that the Executive Committee will guide implementation, the Technical Committee will address sector-specific challenges, and the Secretariat, comprising nominated member states, will coordinate activities.
“AFRIPERF provides regulators with the mechanism to harmonise our policies, address shared challenges and ensure that our perspectives are not only heard but respected on the global stage,” Komolafe said.
