Africa to gain as Nigeria leads continental petroleum regulators – WACOG

The West African Centre for Oil Governance, WACOG, has urged member states of the African Regulatory Forum, AFRIPERF, to give full cooperation to Nigeria, stressing that the continent stands to gain from a unified platform capable of shaping policies that improve investor confidence and enhance energy security.

The charge followed the emergence of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, as the chairman of AFRIPERF, the official body of petroleum regulators from across Africa.

In a statement on Friday, signed by its executive director, Dr Mensah Kofi Adjei, WACOG described Nigeria’s leadership as a major boost for regional energy integration and regulatory cohesion across the continent.

It noted that Komolafe’s emergence reflects “the growing recognition of Nigeria’s leadership capacity in shaping Africa’s energy future” and marks a new phase in the effort to harmonize petroleum regulatory frameworks across the continent.

DAILY POST reports that AFRIPERF had elected Komolafe at its executive committee meeting earlier in the week, during which Nigeria was also adopted as the official headquarters of the Forum.

WACOG said the dual endorsement underscores not only Nigeria’s long-standing position as Africa’s largest oil producer but also its renewed commitment to transparent, modern regulatory practices.

“Across Africa, regulators are grappling with shifting global energy dynamics, rapid technological disruption, and the urgent need to leverage hydrocarbon resources for sustainable development.”

“We are confident that Engr. Komolafe will bring the clarity, structure, and foresight required to position African regulators as united, capable, and strategically aligned in this new era.”

WACOG added that “Nigeria’s emergence comes at a crucial time when African countries are pushing to standardize petroleum regulations, share data, strengthen local content frameworks, and engage more effectively with international energy markets.”

Dr Adjei said the Forum is expected to drive reforms that ensure African regulators speak with a stronger collective voice, especially on issues such as energy transition financing, investment security, emissions standards, cross-border infrastructure, and the future of African crude in global markets.

He said Nigeria hosting the Forum’s headquarters would allow West African countries to benefit from the country’s extensive regulatory experience, technical expertise, and institutional memory in upstream petroleum governance.

The Centre also encouraged AFRIPERF to prioritize capacity building, noting that many African regulators still face structural gaps that hinder effective supervision of upstream operations.

“Komolafe’s tenure must usher in an era where African regulators no longer operate in silos but function as a coordinated bloc capable of defending the continent’s interests,” the statement added.

Africa to gain as Nigeria leads continental petroleum regulators – WACOG