Eight African Nations Sign Historic Petroleum Regulators Forum Charter
Nigeria has led the signing of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum Charter alongside seven other African countries in what officials describe as a landmark step towards harmonizing oil and gas regulations across the continent. The ceremony was chaired by Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission CEO Gbenga Komolafe, who also serves as interim chairman of the forum.
Eight countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea and Togo endorsed the charter, while Kenya, Mauritania, Benin, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Morocco pledged support and promised to join after consultations.
The AFRIPERF Charter establishes a mission “to enhance cooperation and collaboration among African petroleum regulators, to ensure a safe, efficient, rewarding, equitable, and sustainable petroleum industry.” The charter outlines principles to foster collaboration, promote regulatory harmonization, safeguard environmental standards, strengthen regulatory capacity, and attract investment while advancing energy transition goals.
The forum aims to serve as the premier platform for African regulators to share knowledge, best practices, and expertise, while protecting the collective interests of member states internationally. The initiative follows Nigeria’s recent disclosure that its competitive reform agenda had unlocked $18.2 billion worth of Field Development Plans for 2025.
Source: punchng.com
