The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has called for stronger collaboration among African nations, industry stakeholders, and financial institutions to advance local content development and drive sustainable growth across the continent’s energy sector.
Ogbe made this call while delivering a keynote address at the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC 2026) held at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, from February 10 to 12, 2026.
Speaking on the theme, “Africa’s Local Content Collaboration Strategy,” the NCDMB boss emphasized that collaboration remains the cornerstone for unlocking Africa’s vast energy potential and ensuring long-term sectoral growth.
He noted that the conference, which marks a decade of innovation in the oil, gas, and energy industry across Sub-Saharan Africa, provides a strategic platform for stakeholders to reassess progress and chart a sustainable future for the continent’s energy landscape.
According to him, insights from SAIPEC 2025 underscored that Africa’s journey toward strengthening local content development is still evolving, stressing that collective engagement is critical to achieving meaningful and lasting results.
Ogbe explained that successful local content development requires deliberate partnerships between governments, private sector operators, and host communities, describing such cooperation as the bedrock of sustainable industry growth.
Highlighting Nigeria’s local content success story, the Executive Secretary disclosed that the country has adopted a systematic approach that prioritizes indigenous participation, capacity building, and strict regulatory enforcement to eliminate exploitative practices within the sector.
He revealed that the Board has introduced policies that prohibit the transfer of certifications to intermediaries, a move aimed at ensuring that only competent and capable contractors participate in project execution.
“This strategy is designed to strengthen technical capacity and ensure that project delivery meets global standards while enhancing indigenous participation in the energy value chain,” he said.
At the continental level, Ogbe stressed the importance of leveraging existing regional frameworks such as the Brazzaville Accord to drive regulatory harmonization, sectoral cooperation, and an Afro-centric approach to local content development.
He explained that aligning regulatory frameworks across African countries would reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve project competitiveness, and enhance the continent’s ability to attract global investment in energy infrastructure.
The NCDMB boss also highlighted the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank under the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), in collaboration with Afreximbank, describing it as a landmark initiative for financing Africa’s energy transition and industrial growth.
He said the bank is expected to mobilize funding for energy projects, improve access to affordable financing for indigenous operators, and strengthen capacity across Africa’s energy sector.
Ogbe urged governments, regulators, investors, and industry leaders to support the operationalization of the Africa Energy Bank, stressing that its success would play a critical role in unlocking Africa’s energy resources and promoting sustainable economic development.
He further noted that Africa’s energy future depends on shared vision, strategic partnerships, and cross-border cooperation, adding that the continent must adopt inclusive local content strategies that prioritize innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability.
“As Africa navigates the rapidly evolving global energy landscape, collaboration remains essential to building a resilient and prosperous energy sector capable of meeting the continent’s developmental aspirations,” Ogbe stated.
The SAIPEC conference continues to serve as one of Africa’s leading platforms for policy dialogue, investment engagement, and technological exchange within the energy industry, bringing together stakeholders from across Africa and the global energy community.
