Nigeria leads African regulators in signing petroleum charter

Nigeria has taken the lead in establishing the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) with the signing of a landmark charter aimed at boosting investment and harmonising petroleum regulations across the continent.

The charter was signed on Thursday during the 31st Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, Ghana, under the chairmanship of Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), who also serves as Interim Chairman of AFRIPERF.

According to a statement by NUPRC’s Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, eight countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea and Togo, formally endorsed the charter, while seven others pledged to join following consultations in their home countries.

Komolafe described the charter signing as a decisive step toward building a harmonised and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa. He stressed that, as the world moves towards cleaner energy, Africa must ensure its vast hydrocarbon resources are managed with innovation, responsibility and foresight.

He explained that AFRIPERF would be guided by an executive committee made up of regulatory chiefs, a technical committee of subject matter experts, and a secretariat to coordinate operations among member states.

“The AFRIPERF charter defines both the mission and vision of the forum: to enhance cooperation among African petroleum regulators and build a safe, efficient, equitable and sustainable petroleum industry,” Komolafe said.

He added that the forum would provide a platform for sharing knowledge, technology and best practices, while ensuring Africa’s perspectives are respected in global energy discussions.

Following the signing, AFRIPERF will begin the process of electing a chairperson, nominating representatives from member states, and designating a headquarters.

The event drew participation from regulators representing 16 African countries, including Kenya, Mauritania, Benin, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Morocco. Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Upstream, represented by Senator Etang Williams, also attended as an observer.

The initiative marks the culmination of Komolafe’s 2024 proposal for AFRIPERF, which held its inaugural meeting in July 2024 and a second session in November, paving the way for Thursday’s breakthrough.