By EMMANUELLA ANOKAM

Nigeria has signed a charter to establish the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) to promote investment and harmonization of Petroleum regulations.

The landmark signing, chaired by Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), held on Thursday, on the sidelines of the 31st Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, Ghana.

According to a statement by Eniola Akinkuotu, Head, Media and Strategic Communications, NUPRC, regulators from eight African countries formally endorsed the AFRIPERF Charter, while seven others present pledged to join after consultations.

Those that signed the charter included Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea and Togo.

Komolafe who doubles as the Interim Chairman of the forum, described the 4th AFRIPERF Meeting and Charter Signing as a decisive step towards building a harmonized and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.

He said that as the world navigated complex transitions toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems, Africa must ensure that its vast hydrocarbon resources are managed with innovation, responsibility and foresight.

?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.

?By activating our Executive Committee, Technical Committee and Secretariat, we are establishing functional pillars to drive AFRIPERF forward,? he said.

He said that the Executive Committee would serve as the principal oversight body guiding the implementation of AFRIPERF?s objectives, while its membership is for heads of Africa?s oil and gas regulatory bodies.

?The Technical Committee will be activated based on thematic or sectoral priorities arising from the Executive Committee or broader membership.

?Its membership will be drawn from subject matter experts from member countries and partners to handle matters regarding specific regulatory areas and industry issues,? he said.

Komolafe said that the secretariat committee would comprise member countries, while nominations would be called for and presented to the executive committee for ratification.

According to him, AFRIPERF provides regulators with the mechanism to harmonise policies, address shared challenges and ensure that African perspectives are not only heard but respected on the global stage.

He commended the regulators and stakeholders for their technical contributions to the evolution of AFRIPERF.

?The AFRIPERF charter defines both the mission and vision of the Forum, to enhance cooperation and collaboration among African petroleum regulators, to ensure a safe, efficient, rewarding, equitable and sustainable petroleum industry.

?The forum is also designed with the bold vision to be the premier platform for African petroleum regulators to share knowledge, best practices and expertise, in order to attain regional excellence in petroleum regulation.

?The forum also seeks to address regional petroleum regulatory challenges and leverage opportunities; facilitate knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and disseminate international best practices among member regulators,? Komolafe said.

Following the signing, AFRIPERF will call for the nominations for election of the Chairperson of AFRIPERF in accordance with Article 12.

It will also call for nominations of a representative from each member regulator in line with Article 10 and the designation of AFRIPERF Headquarters in line with Article 25.

The event was attended by regulators from 16 African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea and Togo.

Others are Kenya, Mauritania, Benin, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Morocco.

The Chairman of Nigeria?s Senate Committee on Upstream, Sen. Etang Williams, was also present as an observer.

The milestone is the climax of the proposal first introduced by Komolafe in 2024 when he championed the creation of AFRIPERF to strengthen petroleum governance across Africa.

The forum held its inaugural meeting in July 2024, followed by a second gathering in November 2024, setting the stage for Thursday?s breakthrough. (NAN)

? PHOTO: Officials at the 4th African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) Meeting and Charter Signing on the sidelines of the 31st Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, Ghana.

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