African Energy Leaders Call for Unified Regulations to Boost Investment

In a strong appeal for continental cooperation, the head of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum regulator has identified inconsistent rules across African borders as a major barrier to energy investment and development.

Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), stated that regulatory fragmentation is stifling Africa’s energy potential. She delivered her remarks via a representative at the Nigerian International Energy Summit in Abuja on Monday.

“Investors are not deterred by Africa’s geology; they are deterred by inconsistent rules,” Eyesan said, emphasizing that the challenge is no longer resource availability but regulatory alignment.

To address this, Eyesan championed the strengthening of the African Petroleum Regulators’ Forum (AFRIPERF). She described the forum as a crucial platform for harmonizing standards, improving predictability, and accelerating cross-border oil and gas projects to drive shared prosperity.

Africa holds significant global reserves approximately 8% of oil and gas and nearly 30% of critical minerals alongside a large, youthful population. Eyesan argued that harnessing these advantages requires “integrated infrastructure, coordinated policies and aligned regulations.”

While acknowledging the global energy transition, she reaffirmed that oil and gas will remain central to Africa’s development for decades, powering industries and funding essential public services.

Eyesan pointed to existing successes in continental unity, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and coordinated climate advocacy that secured global recognition for gas as a transition fuel. However, she lamented that over 180 trillion cubic feet of discovered natural gas remains undeveloped due to fragmented markets and misaligned regulations.

Highlighting Nigeria’s efforts, she cited the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, ongoing major gas pipeline projects, and the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank as examples of leadership.

In her closing call to action, Eyesan urged African regulators to deepen cooperation through AFRIPERF, expand shared infrastructure, and maintain a unified voice globally. “Our voice must be one, our frameworks aligned, and our actions coordinated,” she concluded.