By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed its enduring support for the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) and its newly established financial arm, the Africa Energy Bank (AEB).
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, gave the assurance on Thursday when the new Secretary General of APPO, H.E. Farid Ghezali, paid him a courtesy visit at the Board’s Abuja liaison office. The APPO delegation included senior officials, Mr. Bakary Traore and Mr. Tchananti Sahguir.
The meeting followed Nigeria’s formal handover of the fully established office of the Africa Energy Bank earlier in the week, a development that clears the path for the official launch of the bank by APPO and Afreximbank, the joint owners of the institution.
Engr. Ogbe reaffirmed NCDMB’s strong commitment to the success of APPO and the Africa Energy Bank, stressing that the future of Africa’s oil and gas industry is closely tied to the performance of both institutions. He stated that NCDMB is ready to provide operational support for the bank’s launch, in line with the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri
The APPO Secretary General, who assumed office in January 2026, sought continued collaboration with NCDMB to actualise APPO’s mandate, recalling the long-standing relationship between both institutions.
He outlined plans to strengthen transparency within APPO, calling for timely financial contributions from member countries, recruitment of new members, and an increase in subscriptions. He also disclosed that Mauritania is expected to join APPO soon, further expanding the organisation’s continental footprint.
H.E. Ghezali emphasised the need for a transparent and inclusive process in the selection of the Governing Board of the Africa Energy Bank, as well as clear governance and operational structures. He stressed that all APPO member countries must be kept adequately informed, while underscoring the importance of strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and credibility requirements to build a strong and trustworthy financial institution.
Discussions during the meeting also focused on capacity building and innovation.
The APPO Secretary General proposed the development of an interactive platform to showcase African-certified companies across key specialties, while advocating the adoption of NCDMB’s Nigerian Content Academy as a training hub for skill development among member states.
Both parties agreed on the need for equitable distribution of project benefits, harmonisation of codes and regulations, technical assistance, knowledge sharing, honest collaboration, and the promotion of regional markets—particularly in West Africa—under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Key resolutions from the meeting include plans to launch the interactive local content platform in the first half of 2026, prioritisation of financial discipline, circulation of relevant roadmaps to stakeholders, follow-up on outstanding contributions, and continued operational support for the Africa Energy Bank’s launch.
Engr. Ogbe requested APPO to circulate its detailed roadmap, implementation timeline, and an update on its financial position, while both sides agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting to review progress.
The engagement ended on a positive note, with renewed commitments to transparency and genuine collaboration. The meeting further underscores NCDMB’s strategic role in advancing Africa’s energy agenda through partnerships such as the Africa Energy Bank, which is expected to mobilise significant financing for oil, gas, and energy projects, bridge historical funding gaps, and promote sustainable development across the continent.
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