The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is seeking stronger partnerships with Chinese manufacturers to expand oil and gas equipment production, technology transfer and industrial capacity in Nigeria.
The board made the push during the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit in Chengdu, China, where it engaged more than 100 Chinese equipment manufacturers and other industry stakeholders.
Representing NCDMB Executive Secretary Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the board’s Director of Project Certification and Authorization Division, Austin Uzoka, called for a shift from Nigeria simply importing equipment from China to deeper cooperation involving local manufacturing, investment and technology development.
He said Nigeria offers Chinese manufacturers an opportunity to establish production and service operations that can supply the domestic oil and gas industry while also serving other markets across Africa.
Uzoka highlighted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme as one of the platforms available to Chinese companies seeking to establish manufacturing, assembly and technical operations in the country.
He also pointed to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act as a framework that supports local manufacturing and provides opportunities for oil and gas equipment produced in Nigeria to be used by operators in the industry.
The summit, held from September 20 to 23 under the theme of using intelligent technologies to promote efficient and environmentally sustainable shale oil and gas development, also featured discussions on investment, supply-chain integration and technical cooperation.
A business-to-business session organised by NCDMB brought together Chinese original equipment manufacturers and Nigerian oil and gas companies to explore opportunities for joint ventures, local production and market access.
Participants included representatives of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Project 100, Renaissance African Energy Company and other industry groups.
NCDMB said the discussions attracted interest from several Chinese manufacturers willing to explore partnerships with Nigerian businesses and opportunities within the country’s growing oil and gas manufacturing sector.
The board also showcased Nigeria’s local content opportunities at an exhibition held alongside the summit, engaging potential investors and industry participants interested in establishing operations in the country.
NCDMB said the engagement was part of its broader effort to move Nigeria’s local content policy beyond participation in oil and gas projects towards greater manufacturing capacity, technology ownership and international competitiveness.
