Energy
NCDMB Proffers Guideposts For Sustainable Local Content Practice In Africa
On the heels of remarkable discovery and exploration of oil and gas resources across several countries in Africa, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday proffered strategies that would enable those nations to institute sustainable Local Content practices, achieve in-country value addition, and benefit maximally from the exploitation of their hydrocarbon resources.
The Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote offered the suggestions at the two-day Namibia Oil and Gas Conference holding in Windhoek, Namibia. He hinted that Africa currently accounts for about 12% of annual global oil production, but only consumes less than 4% of the global production, describing the situation as potential opportunities in production, processing and utilization of oil and gas within the continent for improvement in the standard of living.
Speaking as the preeminent local content advocate in Africa, the NCDMB boss gave an overview of key parameters that are critical to in-country value addition and growth of the sector on a sustainable basis. These are Regulatory Framework, Gap Analysis, Capacity Building, Funding and Incentives, Research and Development, and Access to Market.
Director Corporate Services NCDMB, Mr. Patrick Obah; Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote and Director Legal Services, Mr. Umar Babangida at the two-day Namibia Oil and Gas Conference held in Windhoek, Namibia.
Citing the example of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, he said: “An enabling regulatory framework backed with the appropriate legislation is very fundamental in local content practice,” and that it is “better than directives or policies that are subject to speculations or compliance on ‘best endeavour’ basis. According to him, once such a statute is in place “It is no longer optional or debatable whether to comply with local content requirements.”
Among lessons under the regulatory environment parameter he said, “The law must promote and enable investments rather than become a stumbling block to existing or new investors both locally and internationally,” and that “Provisions should be made in the law to address any lacuna without having to review the entire law such as the provision in the NOGICD Act for utilization of Ministerial Regulations to address any gaps or opportunities.”
Besides, he noted, a regulator “must be pragmatic in applying the law as the oil and gas industry is very dynamic such that aspirational goals and prevailing realities are not always on the same trajectory.”
On Gap Analysis, the NCDMB boss said, “Baseline and periodic gap analyses are essential to determine gaps that are needed to be closed in the areas of skills, facilities and infrastructure.” Lessons learnt so far in that regard show that “All gaps cannot be closed overnight even if you have the resources to do it,” and that it would be necessary to “prioritize areas of high impact and deploy prudent implementation measures.”
Structured capacity building intervention, according to him, “is essential to spur the development of in-country capacities and capabilities,” but implementation of major projects is a prerequisite. In his words, “Continuous and well sequenced stream of major projects is important to sustain utilization of established capacities and attract additional investments for growth.”
Funding and Incentives, he emphasized, are essential to implement local content programs, develop infrastructure, attract new investments, and keep existing businesses afloat where required.” He cited the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) provided for in the NOGICD Act, which has so far been deployed in the launch of the $350 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, the ongoing development of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGAPS), and construction of the 17-storey corporate headquarters of the Board.
On Research and Development, Engr. Wabote said, “Local content thrives where there are robust Research and Development guidelines to drive development of home-grown technology,” pointing out that in Nigeria there is “a $50 million Nigerian Content Research and Development Fund to drive basic research, commercialization of research breakthroughs, establishment of Centers of Excellence, and to sponsor university endowments.”
Access to Market, the Executive Secretary observed, is very essential, noting that “The policies or laws, the capacities developed, and the research and development efforts will become frustrating if there is no outlet to utilize them and receive reward for sustainability and growth. He equally pointed to “opportunities realizable from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The presentation of the NCDMB boss was rounded off with an appeal that Namibia do her best “to avoid Dutch Disease syndrome in which rapid development of your oil and gas industry leads to a decline in other sectors of the Namibian economy.”
He added that “this exciting era of oil and gas discoveries and their development should not lead to decline or abandonment of…mining, fishing, agriculture and tourism sectors of the economy.”
The Conference, organised by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in strategic partnership with the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) ended on Thursday.
The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has completed the turnaround maintenance on the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, leading to resumption of production at Nigeria’s premier deepwater field on March 6, 2026.
Biztellers reports that the project was delivered 11 days ahead of schedule and without any safety incident, reinforcing SNEPCo’s longstanding commitment to operational excellence and asset integrity.
“Completing the turnaround safely and ahead of schedule is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our Nigerian workforce and the helpful support of our partners,” SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams said. “The achievement not only secures the long‑term integrity of the Bonga FPSO but also positions us strongly for the successful delivery of the Bonga North project, which will leverage the improved reliability of the FPSO.”
The exercise which began on February 1, 2026, highlights SNEPCo’s leading role in advancing deep‑water expertise in Nigeria. Of the 55 companies involved in the execution, 43 were wholly Nigerian. Additionally, eight of the 12 international service providers maintain operational bases in Nigeria, contributing to knowledge transfer and increased local investments.
More than 1,000 personnel worked offshore during the turnaround, with over 95% being Nigerians involved in maintenance, engineering, operations, inspection and construction. Thousands more supported activities from onshore locations, reflecting the depth of Nigerian capability in offshore oil and gas operations.
Adams added: “We acknowledge the support of several stakeholders towards the successful execution of the exercise, including the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and our partners.”
Modupe Asudo
Sahara Group, a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has commissioned MT Asharami Ghana, a 40,000‑cubic‑metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, expanding its fleet capacity, while strengthening Ghana’s clean energy supply chain and LPG distribution network.
The dual‑fuel vessel improves operational efficiency, enhances supply reliability, and supports lower‑emission LPG logistics as consumption grows across Ghana and the wider sub‑region.
Ghanaian President Mahama and Sahara Executive Directors
Speaking at the commissioning in Ulsan, South Korea, President John Dramani Mahama described the vessel as “a significant milestone in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins the global LPG supply chain,” noting that expanded shipping capacity is critical to improving supply security, reliability and efficiency for countries that rely partly on LPG imports.
He commended Sahara Group, WAGL Energy and all partners involved for their “leadership, technical expertise and strategic foresight,” adding that the project reflects “the power of partnership” in advancing safe, efficient, and responsible energy distribution.
President Mahama wished the MT Asharami Ghana safe sails, expressing confidence that the vessel would inspire further investment and collaboration across Africa’s energy value chain.
According to Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group, the vessel supports Ghana’s clean energy ambitions through integrated infrastructure.
“MT Asharami Ghana is more than a vessel; it is part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen LPG supply security and support Ghana’s clean energy ambitions. It secures an additional 25,000-Metric-tonne stock security for the Ghana economy, alongside the soon to be commissioned 6000-metric-tonee of 12.000-metric-tonne land storage in Tema,” he said.
With the addition of Asharami Ghana, Sahara Group’s LPG carrier fleet now comprises six delivered vessels with a combined capacity of 202,000 cubic metres. Supported by partnerships with WAGL Energy, NNPC Limited and other stakeholders, an additional 270,000 cubic metres of capacity is under construction and due for delivery by September 2028.
Temitope Shonubi, Executive Director, Sahara Group, said Asharami Ghana is part of Sahara’s integrated LPG infrastructure strategy spanning shipping, storage, and downstream distribution globally, including the development of a 12,000‑metric‑tonne land‑based LPG storage terminal in Tema, with a 6,000‑metric‑tonne first phase scheduled for completion in May 2026.
He thanked Yaa Serwaa Alifo, MD of Asharami Ghana, for her resilience and insistence to dedicate a ship of “this magnitude solely to the Ghana Market and its landlocked neighbours.”
Ghana is targeting LPG adoption of 50 per cent of households by 2030, up from about 30 per cent today. Sahara’s investments will support clean energy access for more than 35 million people, while strengthening Ghana’s role in regional LPG trade to neighbouring and landlocked West African markets.
The commissioning comes in Sahara Group’s 30th anniversary year, guided by the Sahara Beyond XXX milestone, underscoring Sahara’s focus on building an enduring enterprise that delivers responsible growth, shared prosperity and long‑term impact across its markets.
Nigeria’s crude oil production dropped to 1.31 million barrels per day in February, even as local refineries continue to grapple with inadequate domestic crude supply needed to sustain operations.
The development shows that Nigeria again failed to meet its crude oil production quota of 1.5 million barrels per day approved by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), as output declined sharply in February 2026.
Data from OPEC’s latest Monthly Oil Market Report, based on direct communication from member countries, showed that Nigeria produced 1.314 million barrels per day in February, down from 1.459 mbpd recorded in January.
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The figures indicate a month-on-month decline of 146,000 barrels per day, widening the country’s shortfall from its OPEC production allocation.
Nigeria’s inability to meet its OPEC production quota is not only affecting its oil export earnings but also adversely impacting domestic refineries that are starved of feedstock for their operations.
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