By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called for stronger African collaboration, policy harmonisation and development of local capacity to transform the continent’s abundant natural resources into sustainable industrial and economic opportunities.
The call was made on Tuesday at the Africa Local Content Programme, a key component of the ongoing Africa Oil Week 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
The 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 the Petroleum Commission Ghana.
Delivering the opening remarks on the theme, “From Resource Ownership to Industrial Power,” the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Board’s Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, said African countries must move beyond mere ownership of natural resources and concentrate on building sustainable industrial capacity.
Halilu stressed the need for African countries to create greater value from their natural resources while positioning indigenous businesses to compete effectively in the global marketplace.
He said local content frameworks should promote the development and utilisation of African cross-border capacities as a strategy for accelerating the industrialisation of the continent.
According to him, the local content value proposition encompasses 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 NCDMB Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Ajimijaye Omomehin, also participated in a session on “Harmonising and Standardising Technology and Policy: Driving Change through the Brazzaville Accord.”
The session examined the importance of aligning technology and policy frameworks to accelerate regional energy development and strengthen cooperation among African oil-producing countries.
Similarly, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, moderated a strategic session titled “Market Entry Insights: Unlocking Africa’s Most Compelling Upstream Opportunities.”
The session explored strategies for attracting investment into Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector, with industry stakeholders emphasising the role of local content in reducing operational costs and creating an enabling environment for investors.
The discussants also stressed the need for oil-producing countries to provide regulatory stability and adopt measures capable of attracting long-term investment capital into the sector.
Other NCDMB officials participated actively in strategic sessions addressing critical issues shaping Africa’s energy industry.
Mr. Erefagha Turner, Assistant Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics, contributed to discussions on
“Unlocking Capital for African Content Growth,” where he highlighted the importance of creating sustainable financing pathways for indigenous businesses across the continent.
Turner cited the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) as a successful financing model that has supported service companies in developing their capacities and expanding their operations.
Also speaking during the session on “Investing in Talent: Building Africa’s Energy Workforce,” the Manager, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building, Engr. Dokubo Obongo, underscored the importance of skills development and human capital investment in creating a globally competitive African energy workforce.
Omomehin further contributed to discussions on “Building Regional Oil & Gas Industrial Hubs,” reinforcing the importance of regional collaboration and integrated industrial development.
The various sessions highlighted access to capital, policy harmonization, technological advancement, talent development and regional cooperation as critical drivers for converting Africa’s natural resources into sustainable economic and industrial opportunities.
The NCDMB’s active participation in Africa Oil Week 2026 further demonstrates the Board’s commitment to advancing local content development, strengthening indigenous capacity and promoting greater collaboration towards building an integrated, competitive and sustainable energy industry across Africa.
