NCDMB Advocates Africa-wide Local Content Framework for Economic Prosperity
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has called for the establishment of an Africa-wide local content framework to harmonise policies and foster cross-border partnerships in the oil and gas sector.
Speaking at the Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES 2025) in Abuja, Engr. Ogbe emphasized that such a framework would enable African nations to leverage their collective strengths for mutual economic prosperity. Delivering a keynote address titled “Unlocking Africa’s Potential through Local Content: Policies, Partnerships, and Progress,” he stated that local content is not merely a policy but a strategic tool for sustainable economic growth and energy security across the continent.
Engr. Ogbe highlighted the opportunity presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to position local content as a driver of continental industrialization. He underscored the importance of capacity building, policy refinement, and strategic partnerships in unlocking Africa’s vast energy potential.
“Across our continent, we are blessed with abundant natural resources, yet the true measure of wealth lies not in extraction but in how we harness, retain, and multiply value within our economies,” he noted.
Executive Orders Spur Investment Decisions
The NCDMB boss commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing Executive Orders that have made Nigeria Africa’s top destination for oil and gas investments. The Executive Orders have reduced the contracting cycle for oil and gas projects from 36 months to six months, boosting investor confidence and accelerating project execution. This policy shift has led to four Final Investment Decisions (FID) within a year.
“By maximizing local participation in the oil and gas value chain, we have created jobs and enhanced economic development,” Engr. Ogbe remarked. “We have demonstrated how capacity building, policy refinement, and joint partnerships can create a thriving, self-sustaining oil and gas ecosystem.”
NCDMB’s Commitment to Local Content Development
Engr. Ogbe reaffirmed NCDMB’s commitment to working with African counterparts to share best practices, co-develop industrial hubs, and create synergies to benefit the wider energy landscape. He highlighted the Board’s flagship initiatives, including the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF), which provides affordable financing to support indigenous businesses in asset acquisition and operational expansion.
Additionally, the Human Capacity Development (HCD) programmes have trained thousands of Nigerians in specialised skills aligned with industry needs. The Project 100 Initiative, targeting indigenous service companies, has produced major industry players operating across international boundaries.
To bolster local manufacturing, the NCDMB is developing Nigerian oil and gas industrial parks across seven locations in the country. These parks will provide infrastructure for manufacturing equipment, components, and spare parts for local and regional markets. Major construction work at the sites is expected to conclude by the end of the year, with the Board inviting interested investors to apply for plot allocations.
Policy Instruments and Marine Vessel Ownership Growth
Engr. Ogbe also highlighted the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC), which drives in-country value addition through ownership of equipment and facilities. The Marine Vessel Categorisation Implementation Strategy has significantly increased indigenous marine vessel ownership, growing from less than eight percent in 2010 to over 60 percent presently.
With these strategic initiatives, the NCDMB remains dedicated to fostering local content development and positioning Africa for economic transformation and sustainable growth.
