NCDMB, stakeholders chart paths for successful, value-adding AfCFTA operation
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The management of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), policy makers and other critical stakeholders from across Africa and the global energy community gathered at the NCDMB Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Monday for the 2026 Nigerian Content AfCFTA Energy Summit to share ideas on how to maximize the benefits and value addition of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The theme for the 2026 Nigerian Content AfCFTA Energy Summit was “Unlocking Africa’s Energy Future through AfCFTA: Trade, Innovation, and Regional Integration.”
The summit becomes imperative considering the fact that AfCFTA is estimated to create $3.4 trillion market opportunities with its 1.3 billion to I.4 billion population. Therefore, if it is properly harnessed, it would not only unlock Africa’s industrial development but make the continent globally competitive.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, in his keynote address entitled “Application of AfCFTA in the Oil and Gas Industry,” noted that in conceiving Agenda 2063 which gave birth to ACFTA, the African Union had the overarching objective of fostering regional integration through trade, innovation and free movement of people and capital.
He informed the summit that in Nigeria, the oil and gas industry embraced AfCFTA and developed a framework for domesticating the policy in 2022. He noted that implementing AfCFTA in the Nigerian oil and gas industry was anchored on 3 broad pillars – opportunities identification, capacity development and capacity exportation. He further elaborated the three broad pillars as follows:
”Opportunities identification – Nigeria’s strength lies in formidable supply chain in oil field services, refining capacity, oil field logistics base, gas supply pipeline, and pool of qualified oil field technical workforce,
“Capacity development – Nigerian’s oil and gas industry through the local content law has developed capabilities in the oil and gas value chain spanning marine vessel asset ownership, fabrication, assembly and installation of production system including Xmas trees, pressure vessels, pumps,
“Capacity exportation is the next frontier and the reason for convening this summit, to ask critical questions: How can cables produced in Nigeria benefit from preferential trade terms in Angola?
*What are the compliance requirements for a sacrificial anode producer in Nigeria, to meet the rule of origin requirement to export anodes to Algeria for protection and longevity of pipeline, storage tank, and offshore platforms, among others?
*How can Tema shipyard in Ghana be designated the vessel construction, assembly and repairs hub for Africa?
*Is there a unified work permit and visa that will enable a welder in Senegal to be engaged in Arlec Engineering Works Johannesburg South Africa, for fabrication of heat exchangers, storage tanks, and pressure vessels, among others?
*How can AfCFTA’s 1.4 billion population and $3 trillion economy achieve a strategic shift from fragmented economies towards a globally competitive supply chain system?
*With expanded refining capabilities in Dangote Refinery, laying of continental gas transmission pipelines, establishment of industrial parks and other support infrastructure what other support levers are required to achieve energy security and self-sufficiency for Africa?
*How can Africa leverage its vast mineral resources including copper, iron ore, petrochemical, for domestic production of hardware such as Christmas tree, thus shifting away from exporting raw minerals?
The NCDMB chief explained that the summit was structured to mobilize regulatory agencies, project promoters, financial institutions, and academia to provide needed insights towards: Deepening collaboration on intra-Africa trade opportunities; The case for a unified code of standards for professional qualification, services & manufactured goods; Expanding the frontiers of technology development & innovation; Institutionalizing measurements and evaluation of the impact of ACFTA implementation on Africa’s balance of trade; Understanding customs oversight on determination and issuance of rule of origin certificate.
“Without doubt the calibre of distinguished professionals seated here offer hope that this summit will provide the needed insights to shape implementation of AfCFTA in the Nigerian oil and gas sector for our collective regional prosperity,” he concluded.
