By Peace Udugba
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called for stronger African collaboration, local capacity development and industrialisation as stakeholders gathered at the Africa Oil Week 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
The NCDMB participated actively on Tuesday in the Africa Local Content Programme, a major component of the ongoing Africa Oil Week, which brings together governments, regulators, investors, industry leaders and service providers across Africa’s oil, gas and upstream energy sector.
The Africa Local Content Programme, themed “Building African Capacity, Competitiveness and Collaboration Across the Upstream Value Chain,” was organised in partnership with the NCDMB, the African Union (AU) and Ghana’s Petroleum Commission.
The programme featured high-level discussions on strategies for strengthening African capacity, improving competitiveness and promoting collaboration across the upstream oil and gas value chain.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, delivered the opening remarks on the theme, “From Resource Ownership to Industrial Power.”
Ogbe was represented at the event by the Director, Corporate Services, NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, who stressed the need for African countries to move beyond resource ownership and build sustainable industrial capacity.
He said Africa must focus on deriving greater value from its natural resources while positioning indigenous businesses to compete effectively in the global market.
Halilu said local content frameworks should promote the development and utilisation of African cross-border capacities as a pathway to the industrialisation of the continent.
According to him, the local content value proposition includes research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, supply chain optimisation, sustainable operations, increased production and utilisation of locally made goods, as well as contributions to gross domestic product (GDP).
The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Mr. Ajimijaye Omomehin, also participated in discussions on “Harmonising and Standardising Technology and Policy: Driving Change through the Brazzaville Accord.”
The session examined the importance of aligning technology and policies to accelerate regional energy development.
Meanwhile, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, moderated a session titled “Market Entry Insights: Unlocking Africa’s Most Compelling Upstream Opportunities.”
Dr. Hailu also joined other industry stakeholders as a panelist during discussions on strategies and enablers required to accelerate investment in Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector.
The discussants agreed that effective local content policies can help attract investment and reduce operational costs, while oil-producing countries must provide regulatory stability and take other measures capable of attracting investment capital.
Other NCDMB officials also participated in strategic sessions addressing critical issues affecting the future of Africa’s energy industry.
Mr. Erefagha Turner, Assistant Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics, contributed to discussions on “Unlocking Capital for African Content Growth.”
He highlighted the need to create sustainable financing pathways to support the expansion of indigenous businesses across Africa.
Turner cited the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) as a successful financing model that has helped Nigerian oil and gas service companies build their capacities.
Similarly, Engr. Dokubo Obongo, Manager, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building, contributed to the session on “Investing in Talent: Building Africa’s Energy Workforce.”
He emphasised the importance of skills development and investment in human capital in building a globally competitive African energy workforce.
Omomehin also participated in discussions on “Building Regional Oil & Gas Industrial Hubs.”
The various sessions underscored the importance of access to capital, policy harmonisation, technology development, talent development and regional collaboration in transforming Africa’s abundant natural resources into sustainable industrial and economic opportunities.
The NCDMB’s participation in Africa Oil Week 2026 further demonstrated its commitment to promoting local content development, strengthening African capacity and deepening collaboration towards an integrated, competitive and sustainable energy industry across the continent.
The Daily Torch Media
September 2, 2026
