Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria has positioned itself as the anchor of petroleum regulation in Africa by championing the creation of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum, AFRIPERF, a move expected to harmonise regulatory standards across the continent and unlock billions of dollars in foreign direct investment, FDI.
The AFRIPERF Charter was signed in September 2025, during the Africa Oil Week in Accra, Ghana, with regulators from 16 countries present and eight formally endorsing the framework.
Nigeria, through the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, led the initiative, marking another milestone in the country’s effort to strengthen its global energy profile.
Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the NUPRC and interim chairman of AFRIPERF, said the Forum provides a unique opportunity to improve investor confidence across Africa’s energy markets.
“AFRIPERF provides regulators with the mechanism to harmonise our policies, address shared challenges and ensure that our perspectives are not only heard but respected on the global stage,” he declared.
The AFRIPERF Charter defines its mission as “to enhance cooperation and collaboration among African petroleum regulators, to ensure a safe, efficient, rewarding, equitable, and sustainable petroleum industry,” while its vision is “to be the premier platform for African petroleum regulators to share knowledge, best practices, and expertise.”
Nigeria’s leadership is expected to yield direct benefits at home, from increased investor participation in upstream projects to improved regulatory standards that align with international best practices.
“From our initial announcement at the 8th SAIPEC, to our inauguration during the NOG 2024 event and the careful drafting of the AFRIPERF Charter, each milestone has brought us closer to this historic day,” Komolafe said.
The new framework comes at a critical time when global energy investors are demanding clarity, consistency, and sustainability in oil and gas governance. According to Komolafe, AFRIPERF is structured to deliver exactly that.
“By activating our Executive Committee, Technical Committee and Secretariat, we are establishing the functional pillars that will drive AFRIPERF forward, ensuring that our shared vision is translated into measurable results with defined timelines and accountability,” he explained.
The Executive Committee will serve as the oversight body for implementation, with membership restricted to the heads of petroleum regulatory agencies across member countries.
A Secretariat and Technical Committee will further coordinate initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms.
For Nigeria, the leadership role signals a strategic shift from being just Africa’s largest oil producer to becoming the hub of regulatory excellence and policy innovation, could translate into higher flows of FDI, greater transparency in licensing, and stronger cross-border cooperation on energy security.
“As the world navigates complex transitions toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems, Africa must ensure that its vast hydrocarbon resources are managed with innovation, responsibility and foresight,” Komolafe emphasised.
Nigeria’s proactive role in AFRIPERF could set it apart as the gateway for international investors seeking opportunities in Africa’s $100 billion oil and gas market.
