Africa Chooses Nigeria to Lead Petroleum Regulation

Nigeria has been officially selected as the headquarters of the African Petroleum Regulators’ Forum (AFRIPERF), marking a major milestone in the country’s role within the continent’s energy governance structure. The decision came as Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of Nigeria’s Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Forum.

AFRIPERF brings together petroleum regulatory authorities across Africa to promote harmonised policies, regional cooperation, transparency, and sustainable energy governance. The Forum aims to strengthen regulatory frameworks, encourage investments, and support knowledge-sharing among member nations.

Nigeria’s selection as host reflects its influence in Africa’s oil and gas ecosystem, where it remains one of the largest producers and the most experienced regulatory jurisdictions. It also underscores the country’s recent reforms, particularly under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which have modernised upstream regulation and sought to drive efficiency, accountability, and competitiveness.

Sixteen African countries endorsed the move, signalling a shared commitment to deeper collaboration in areas such as licensing standards, energy transition policy, safety regulations, local content advancement, and regional best practices. The decision represents growing recognition of Nigeria’s regulatory expertise and the NUPRC’s role in establishing progressive frameworks for the future of hydrocarbons management on the continent.

As pioneer Chairman of AFRIPERF, Engr. Komolafe is expected to lead efforts toward institutional development of the Forum, capacity building among regulators, and the creation of structured dialogue on the continent’s evolving energy landscape. His appointment places Nigeria at the centre of continental policy-making discussions, including areas such as decarbonisation strategies, cross-border investment rules, and the optimisation of Africa’s petroleum resources for economic growth.

With AFRIPERF headquartered in Nigeria, observers believe the country stands to benefit from increased visibility, knowledge exchange, and positioning in Africa’s ongoing push to reform the oil and gas sector in line with global changes.