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