By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has called on African countries to move beyond ownership of natural resources and focus on building industrial capacity that can create lasting economic value across the continent.
The Board made the call at the ongoing Africa Oil Week (AOW 2026) in Accra, Ghana on Tuesday, where it participated in the Africa Local Content Programme, themed: “Building African Capacity, Competitiveness and Collaboration Across the Upstream Value Chain.”
The programme, organised in partnership with the NCDMB, African Union (AU) and Ghana’s Petroleum Commission, brought together policymakers, regulators, investors and industry players to discuss ways of strengthening African participation in the oil and gas value chain.
Delivering the opening speech themed: “From Resource Ownership to Industrial Power”, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Board’s Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Ogbe said Africa’s vast natural resources would have limited impact on development unless countries build the industrial capacity to convert those resources into economic opportunities.
He said local content policies should not be restricted to individual countries but should encourage African businesses to work across borders and develop the capacity required to compete globally.
“Local content frameworks must promote the development and utilization of African cross-border capacities for the industrialization of Africa,” he said.
Ogbe identified research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, supply-chain optimisation, sustainable operations and increased production and utilisation of locally made goods, as key elements of an effective local content framework.
He added that stronger local participation would also increase the contribution of the oil and gas sector to Africa’s gross domestic product.
A statement by NCDMB GM, Corporate Communications Division, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, said other officials of the board took part in strategic sessions during the conference, sharing Nigeria’s experience in developing local capacity and supporting indigenous businesses.
The Board’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Ajimijaye Omomehin, participated in discussions on “Harmonising and Standardising Technology and Policy: Driving Change through the Brazzaville Accord,” which examined the role of policy and technology alignment in regional energy development.
Omomehin also contributed to discussions on building regional oil and gas industrial hubs.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, moderated a session on “Market Entry Insights: Unlocking Africa’s Most Compelling Upstream Opportunities.”
The session focused on strategies for attracting investment into Africa’s upstream oil and gas industry, with participants stressing the need for regulatory stability and predictable policies.
They also noted that effective local content policies could help attract investment while reducing operational costs for oil and gas companies.
Speaking on financing, Mr. Erefagha Turner, Assistant Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics, highlighted the importance of creating sustainable funding channels for indigenous African businesses.
He cited Nigeria’s Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) as an example of a financing mechanism that has helped oil and gas service companies build capacity and expand their operations.
On human capital, Engr. Dokubo Obongo, Manager, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building, stressed that investment in skills development would be critical to producing a workforce capable of competing in the global energy industry.
The discussions underscored the need for African countries to improve access to capital, harmonise policies, invest in technology and talent, and strengthen regional cooperation if the continent is to derive greater economic benefits from its natural resources.
The NCDMB’s participation in Africa Oil Week, the Board said, reflects its commitment to promoting local content development and supporting stronger African collaboration towards an integrated, competitive and sustainable energy industry.
