AFRIPERF symbolises a commitment among African countries to collaborate on managing their hydrocarbon resources, writes AKPANDEM JAMES Between the end of the first and the opening weeks of the second quarters of every year, a diverse group of energy professionals from around the world converge at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, to network, share knowledge, showcase innovations and generally advance the global energy sector from their respective and collaborative perspectives. Nigeria, a major petroleum-producing and exporting country, usually parades a sizeable delegation from government and industry establishments at the annual global energy summit. Other African oil and gas-producing countries are also usually adequately represented.
During the 2024 outing, an idea that could fundamentally change the energy landscape in Africa was unveiled. It was an idea that would clip the wings of scavengers in the oil and gas terrain and open a vista for the growth and prosperity of oil-producing African countries. The inauguration of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) represents a pivotal step towards safeguarding Africa’s oil and gas assets through enhanced collaboration and regulatory coordination.
The idea was proposed by Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), during the African Energy Leadership Forum at the OTC. The initiative targeted creating a continental platform for oil an.
