The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says the country has spearheaded the signing of a charter establishing the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF).
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a statement, the signing ceremony — chaired by NUPRC chief executive officer (CEO) Gbenga Komolafe — was held on Thursday on the sidelines of the 31st edition of Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, Ghana.
The event brought together petroleum regulators from 16 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, Togo, Kenya, Mauritania, Benin, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, and Morocco. Etang Williams, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Upstream, attended as an observer.
AFRIPERF is designed to harmonise petroleum regulations across the continent, with the goal of attracting investment, promoting knowledge-sharing, and strengthening regulatory cooperation in Africa’s energy sector.
At the ceremony, regulators from eight countries — Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo — formally endorsed the charter. Seven others expressed support but said they would complete domestic consultations before signing.
The NUPRC described the charter signing as “the climax of a proposal first introduced by Engineer Komolafe last year, when he championed the creation of AFRIPERF to strengthen petroleum governance across Africa.”
The forum had previously convened its inaugural meeting in July 2024 and a follow-up in November 2024, laying the foundation for Thursday’s milestone.
‘Decisive step toward harmonised industry’
Speaking at the event, Komolafe — who doubles as interim chairman of AFRIPERF — described the charter signing as a decisive move toward a harmonised and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
According to the NUPRC, the executive committee will serve as the forum’s principal oversight body, made up of the heads of Africa’s oil and gas regulatory agencies. The secretariat committee will include nominated member countries, with selections ratified by the executive committee.
