The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local capacity, deepening partnerships and promoting gas development as a major driver of Africa’s industrial growth.
The Group Managing Director of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, gave the assurance in Lagos at the 10th Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC 2026), which marks a decade of bringing together key players in Africa’s energy sector.
Ojulari said NNPC Ltd is focused on shaping an African energy future built on responsibility, opportunity and value creation, with indigenous participation playing a central role in sustainable growth. He described gas as a critical catalyst for industrialisation and economic development across the continent.
According to him, NNPC Ltd remains committed to supporting indigenous companies, strengthening collaboration and ensuring Africa takes greater ownership of its energy narrative. He noted that discussions at SAIPEC on gas development, investment resilience, local content and youth inclusion directly reflect Africa’s energy realities.
Ojulari commended the organisers of SAIPEC, saying the conference has grown over the past decade into one of Africa’s most respected energy platforms. He added that NNPC Ltd’s partnership with SAIPEC reflects a shared belief that Africa’s energy future must be shaped by Africans, supported by strong institutions, credible policies and capable local companies.
He urged stakeholders to use the 10th edition of the conference as an opportunity to recommit to building a resilient and competitive African energy sector, stressing that Africa must move from being a follower to a leader in global energy discussions.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Ogbe, called for deeper collaboration among African countries to strengthen local content development and improve access to energy financing. His remarks were delivered by Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB.
Ogbe said harmonising regulations and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks would improve the competitiveness of African energy projects and attract more global investment.
He highlighted the Africa Energy Bank, promoted by the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation in partnership with Afreximbank, as a key step towards mobilising capital for African energy projects.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Wole Ogunsanya, said Africa’s biggest challenge remains access to affordable and reliable energy, noting that millions of Africans still lack electricity.
Ogunsanya said Africa’s energy transition should focus on responsibly utilising hydrocarbon resources while gradually integrating cleaner energy solutions. He pointed to Nigeria’s local content success, noting that indigenous companies now play leading roles across key segments of the energy value chain.
He added that SAIPEC was designed as a platform to promote African capabilities, attract investment and ensure that discussions translate into real projects that support growth and development across the continent
