The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called for greater collaboration among African states to establish a unified local content framework within the continent’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2025, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, stressed that local content must be viewed not merely as a policy directive but as a critical driver of sustainable economic growth and energy security across Africa.
Ogbe underscored that aligning local content strategies is essential for industrialisation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He argued that while Africa’s wealth of natural resources is undeniable, true prosperity lies in the continent’s ability to harness, retain, and multiply the value of its resources within its own economies. By developing a harmonised framework and strengthening cross-border partnerships, African nations can accelerate industrial development, drive employment, and ensure long-term economic transformation.
Highlighting the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, Ogbe said that an integrated local content strategy would enable African nations to leverage shared resources, expertise, and infrastructure. He further emphasised that unlocking Africa’s vast energy potential requires a steadfast commitment to capacity building, policy reforms, and the creation of strategic partnerships across borders.
The Executive Secretary assured that the NCDMB is committed to working closely with African stakeholders to exchange best practices, co-develop industrial hubs, and foster synergies aimed at strengthening the continent’s energy sector. He maintained that collaboration, rather than competition, will be key to enhancing Africa’s energy resilience and economic independence in an era of global transition.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has received a boost following the signing of executive orders by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at expediting project delivery. The reforms have significantly shortened the contracting cycle from 36 months to just six months, minimising bureaucratic hurdles and boosting investor confidence. These developments position Nigeria as a leading investment destination for energy projects in Africa and serve as a model for other nations looking to drive local content and energy-led economic development.
As the energy landscape evolves, the call for a unified African local content framework offers a timely and strategic pathway towards a more prosperous and self-reliant continent.
Source: Further Africa
