The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, on Tuesday participated in the Africa Local Content Programme at the ongoing Africa Oil Week 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
Africa Oil Week is a leading international conference and exhibition focused on Africa’s oil, gas and upstream energy sector. The event brings together industry leaders, governments, regulators, investors and service providers to shape policy, share discoveries and attract investment for the continent’s energy future.
This year’s 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 the Petroleum Commission, Ghana.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, delivered the opening remarks on the theme, “From Resource Ownership to Industrial Power.” He was represented by the Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu.
Halilu said African countries must move beyond resource ownership to building sustainable industrial capacity, creating greater value from natural resources and positioning African businesses to compete globally.
According to him, “local content frameworks must promote the development and utilisation of African cross-border capacities for the industrialisation of Africa.”
He listed the local content value proposition to include 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 and contributions to Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
Also, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Mr. Ajimijaye Omomehin, participated in a session on “Harmonising and Standardising Technology and Policy: Driving Change through the Brazzaville Accord,” which examined policy and technology alignment for regional energy development.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, moderated the session on “Market Entry Insights: Unlocking Africa’s Most Compelling Upstream Opportunities,” while Dr. Halilu was a panellist on strategies to accelerate upstream investment.
Panellists agreed that local content can attract investment and lower operational costs, while oil-producing countries must ensure regulatory stability to attract capital.
Other NCDMB officials also featured in strategic sessions. Mr. Erefagha Turner, Assistant Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics, spoke on “Unlocking Capital for African Content Growth,” describing the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, NCI Fund, as a successful financing model for indigenous service companies.
Engr. Dokubo Obongo, Manager, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building, contributed to the session on “Investing in Talent: Building Africa’s Energy Workforce,” stressing skills development and human capital investment.
Mr. Omomehin also contributed to discussions on “Building Regional Oil and Gas Industrial Hubs.”
The sessions emphasised access to capital, policy harmonisation, technology, talent development and regional collaboration as key to transforming Africa’s resources into sustainable industrial and economic opportunities.
NCDMB’s participation at the event reaffirmed its commitment to advancing local content, strengthening African capacity and promoting collaboration for an integrated, competitive and sustainable energy industry.
