Nigeria has taken a significant step in leading Africa’s oil and gas sector with the launch of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF). The forum’s landmark charter was signed on Thursday during the Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, Ghana, in a ceremony chaired by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe.
The event was attended by regulators from 16 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo, among others. Senator Etang Williams, Chairman of Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Upstream, also attended as an observer. Eight countries formally endorsed the AFRIPERF Charter, while seven pledged future membership after consultations.
The signing of the charter marks a decisive continental milestone, according to Komolafe, who championed the creation of AFRIPERF. The forum had held its inaugural meeting in July 2024, followed by a second in November, paving the way for Thursday’s breakthrough. Komolafe described the forum’s 4th meeting and charter signing as a crucial step towards managing Africa’s hydrocarbon resources with innovation and foresight.
The AFRIPERF aims to foster collaboration, harmonize regulations, uphold safety, and protect the environment. It also seeks to enhance regulatory capacity through training, experience sharing, and engagement with industry stakeholders and global organizations. The forum targets knowledge transfer, investment promotion, transparency, ethical practices, renewable integration, and emission reduction in petroleum operations.
To guide the implementation of its objectives, AFRIPERF has established three committees: the Executive Committee, the Technical Committee, and the Secretariat Committee. The Executive Committee will serve as the principal oversight body, comprising heads of Africa’s petroleum regulatory agencies. The Technical Committee will address thematic priorities, while the Secretariat Committee will comprise member countries, with nominations ratified by the Executive Committee.
Following the signing, AFRIPERF will call for nominations for its Chairperson, country representatives, and headquarters designation. The launch of AFRIPERF is expected to provide a platform for African regulators to harmonize policies, address challenges, and ensure that the continent’s voice is respected globally. With the establishment of AFRIPERF, Africa’s oil and gas sector is poised to take a significant leap forward, driven by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability.
