Tanya Davidson
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has opened discussions with more than 100 Chinese original equipment manufacturers, OEMs, seeking to attract investment, manufacturing capacity and technology transfer into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The engagement, held in Chengdu, China, formed part of Nigeria’s participation in the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit, as the Board seeks to shift the relationship between Nigerian oil and gas companies and Chinese manufacturers from equipment supply to local production and technology ownership.
Representing NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Director, Project Certification and Authorization Division, Engr. Austin Uzoka, said Nigeria wanted Chinese manufacturers to establish production, assembly and service operations in the country.
“We are looking beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. What can we build together? We want Chinese companies to see Nigeria not simply as a market for their products, but as a strategic investment destination, a platform for manufacturing and technology development, and a gateway to opportunities across the wider African market,” Uzoka said.
He said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act provides a framework for oil and gas equipment manufacturing facilities established in Nigeria to access patronage from the industry, with additional opportunities across the Gulf of Guinea.
Uzoka also promoted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme, NOGaPS, as a platform for Chinese OEMs seeking to establish manufacturing, assembly and service operations in Nigeria.
He said the scheme could facilitate technology transfer, technical partnerships and the integration of Nigerian businesses into the supply chains of Chinese manufacturers.
“China has developed tremendous capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure. We want to explore how those capabilities can be connected with the opportunities that exist in Nigeria, for mutual benefits,” he said.
At a business-to-business session organised by NCDMB during the summit, more than 100 Chinese equipment manufacturers engaged Nigerian oil and gas stakeholders on local manufacturing, supply-chain integration, investment, technology development and market access.
Participants included representatives of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN; Project 100; Renaissance African Energy Company; and the Oil Producers Trade Section, OPTS.
The session enabled Nigerian companies to showcase their capabilities while Chinese manufacturers explored opportunities for market entry, local production and technical cooperation.
NCDMB said several Chinese OEMs expressed interest in developing business relationships with Nigerian companies and participating in the country’s expanding oil and gas manufacturing ecosystem.
Uzoka said Nigeria’s local-content agenda had evolved significantly since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act in 2010.
“What began primarily as an effort to increase Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry has developed into a broader industrial development agenda focused on building capabilities, deepening manufacturing, promoting technology ownership and positioning Nigerian businesses to compete within regional and global markets,” he said.
The Board said the Chengdu engagement was part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s international industrial partnerships and move local content from participation to manufacturing, technology ownership and regional competitiveness.
The 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit held from September 20 to 23 at the Chengdu Century City International Conference Centre.
