By Ambrose Nnaji

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has called for a phased and pragmatic approach to fuel specification harmonisation across Africa, warning that rigid, uniform timelines could undermine market stability.

Speaking at the African Refiners and Distributors Association Week 2026 in Cape Town, the Authority’s Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, said that while harmonisation remains a critical continental objective, structural differences among African markets make a “one-size-fits-all” model unrealistic.

Addressing a panel session on policy pathways for harmonisation, Mohammed stressed the need for a flexible framework that allows countries to align fuel standards at a pace suited to their regulatory capacity, infrastructure readiness, and refining capabilities.

He noted that a step-by-step transition would help avoid supply disruptions and limit additional cost burdens on consumers, particularly in price-sensitive economies.

“Harmonisation must be pragmatic and context-driven. We must align ambition with execution realities,” he said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s approach, Mohammed said the NMDPRA is advancing tighter fuel quality standards while maintaining supply security and market efficiency. He added that regulation in emerging markets must carefully balance environmental goals with affordability and energy access.

He identified critical success factors for harmonisation to include stronger collaboration among regulators, clear and consistent policy frameworks, sustained investment in refining and distribution infrastructure, and realistic implementation timelines.

According to him, better alignment of fuel specifications across the continent would reduce market distortions, curb cross-border arbitrage, and boost intra-African petroleum trade, while supporting a gradual transition to cleaner fuels.

Mohammed also pointed to increasing refining capacity in Africa—particularly in Nigeria—as a key enabler for reducing dependence on imports and accelerating standardisation efforts.

The African Refiners and Distributors Association Week 2026, which marks two decades of regional downstream coordination, brought together regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore strategies for building a more integrated and resilient energy market.

L–R:
Farid Ghezali, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization; Marie-Josephine Sidibé, President of the African Refiners and Distributors Association; and Saidu Mohammed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, during proceedings at ARDA Week 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa.

By Editor

As NOG Energy Week celebrates its 25th anniversary, the 2026 edition is set to convene a powerful coalition of global and African energy leaders in Abuja this July, under the theme: “Advancing Energy Ambitions for Competitive & Resilient Economies.”

Positioned as Nigeria’s flagship energy convening, the event will shift from rhetoric to execution—focusing on eight strategic pillars designed to translate ambition into bankable projects and scalable solutions across the continent.

With an expected 7,500 participants, 300 exhibitors, and delegates from 85 countries, NOG 2026 underscores Africa’s rising importance in a rapidly evolving global energy order. As geopolitical tensions reshape supply chains and intensify the quest for energy security, Nigeria and its regional peers are increasingly viewed as reliable sources of oil, gas, and LNG for global markets.

Against this backdrop, the conference programme is structured to address critical industry pain points—ranging from supply stability and infrastructure deficits to long-term competitiveness and capital mobilisation. A strong emphasis will be placed on strategic partnerships and cross-border collaboration, positioning the event as a high-impact platform for deal-making and investment alignment.

This year’s agenda adopts a full-spectrum energy systems approach, integrating upstream expansion with midstream infrastructure and downstream market development. The goal is clear: to deliver energy at scale while strengthening Africa’s position as a supply anchor in an increasingly fragmented global market.

Gas and LNG will take centre stage as catalysts for industrialisation and export-led growth, reinforcing Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” ambitions. Complementing this is a forward-looking focus on technology and innovation, particularly the role of AI-driven solutions in enhancing exploration, boosting production efficiency, and optimising energy systems to meet surging demand from digital infrastructure.

The programme also reflects the energy transition imperative, with dedicated sessions on decarbonisation and renewable energy—signalling a balanced pathway toward sustainability without compromising energy access or economic growth.

In a climate of persistent market volatility, NOG 2026 aims to deliver outcomes—not just conversations. Curated by an executive committee of industry leaders, the event will bring together policymakers, financiers, and operators to unlock capital, address structural bottlenecks, and accelerate project delivery.

Key speakers include Heineken Lokpobiri, Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, alongside leading industry figures such as Bayo Bashir Ojulari and Proscovia Nabbanja.

Multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, and Africa Finance Corporation, will also play a central role in shaping investment discourse.

From high-level strategic sessions to the NOG Energy Club and Deals Lounge, the anniversary edition is designed to catalyse partnerships and close critical financing gaps—cementing its role as a cornerstone platform for advancing Africa’s energy future.

By Editor

Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has initiated a strategic overhaul of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF), signaling a renewed push to deliver measurable, high-impact outcomes in Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.

The reset, unveiled during a two-day retreat and the first half of the NCCF 2026 Steering Committee Meeting, is aimed at repositioning the forum as a more effective engine for in-country capacity development, policy alignment, and stakeholder collaboration.

Declaring the retreat open, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the gathering as a “defining moment” in the evolution of the NCCF.

He noted that while the forum has recorded steady growth since inception, the next phase requires a more deliberate, structured, and results-driven approach.

“The NCCF began as a vision—modest in structure but bold in intent. Today, it has grown, strengthened by collaboration and sustained by our shared commitment to advancing Nigerian content,” he said.

Represented by the Acting Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Ogbe stressed the urgency of transitioning from incremental progress to long-term, high-impact delivery.

“This retreat is not just another meeting; it is a defining moment to interrogate our current realities and chart a clearer, more strategic path forward,” he added.

A key pillar of the reform process is a baseline study conducted by Ernst & Young (EY), which benchmarked the NCCF against global best practices, identified structural gaps, and outlined pathways for improved performance and relevance.

However, Ogbe emphasized that frameworks alone would not drive transformation.

“The success of any roadmap will depend on the quality of engagement, sincerity of contributions, and willingness to think beyond silos,” he said, urging stakeholders to adopt a more deliberate and solution-oriented approach.

Providing further insight, EY Partner and session facilitator Damilola Aloba outlined three strategic priorities guiding the reset: strengthening aligned leadership across the NCCF ecosystem, improving coordination between the forum, its Sectoral Working Groups (SWGs), and NCDMB, and fostering shared ownership of its long-term vision.

He noted that stakeholder consultations revealed several operational bottlenecks, including unclear strategic direction, delays in project approvals, weak evaluation and tracking mechanisms, and limited clarity around post-idea execution processes.

Other constraints identified include budget limitations due to heavy reliance on NCDMB as the primary funding source, as well as the absence of defined criteria for assessing project viability and impact.

Despite these challenges, Aloba acknowledged the strong commitment demonstrated by SWG members, particularly in advancing capacity development initiatives across the oil and gas sector.

Earlier, the Acting Deputy Manager of NCCF, Bright Amatoru, provided an overview of the forum’s mandate and activities.

He described the NCCF as a statutory collaborative platform established under Sections 57 and 58 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, designed to identify industry gaps, develop solutions, and drive targeted interventions.

Since its establishment in 2014, the forum has engaged stakeholders across 12 SWGs, delivering initiatives such as National Operational Standards to harmonise capacity development efforts, and the Marine Assets Listing System, which provides a comprehensive database of marine assets within the industry.

Amatoru also highlighted benchmarking studies in fabrication, as well as inclusion-focused initiatives like the Women in Oil and Gas Conference and mentorship programmes led in collaboration with the Diversity SWG.

However, he acknowledged that the absence of a clearly defined strategic framework has constrained the forum’s ability to prioritise and scale interventions effectively.

“As of today, we have not had a very clear direction on how to select interventions. That clarity is critical as we align industry expectations with global best practices,” he said.

The ongoing reset forms part of broader efforts by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to develop a comprehensive NCCF roadmap aligned with its 10-year strategic plan and evolving industry needs.

Participants at the retreat are expected to generate actionable recommendations, refine governance structures, and define a clear execution pathway to enhance NCCF’s impact across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.