ABUJA — The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Chairperson of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has intensified efforts to expand continental membership of the forum as African regulators move to harmonise oil and gas governance frameworks.
Eyesan led discussions on strengthening AFRIPERF’s reach across Africa during a high-level engagement in Abuja on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, where the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo, pledged Nigeria’s full support for the initiative.
The minister described AFRIPERF as a strategic platform for aligning regulatory standards, improving investment confidence, and positioning Africa as a stronger voice in global energy policy discussions.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s increasing influence in global gas diplomacy, including its leadership role in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), as evidence of Africa’s growing relevance in the global energy landscape.
At the centre of the engagement, Eyesan briefed the minister on AFRIPERF’s expansion drive, noting that the forum has recorded significant progress in onboarding new member countries.
She said Ghana, Somalia, The Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea and Togo have already signed onto the AFRIPERF charter, while several other countries are at various stages of accession.
“We’ve been working to sensitize other regulators within the continent and today we are happy that quite a number of countries have indicated interest,” Eyesan said.
She explained that AFRIPERF was established to promote regulatory harmonisation, improve transparency, and create a more predictable environment for oil and gas investment across Africa.
Eyesan also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among regulators to address shared challenges, including energy transition pressures, infrastructure gaps, and capacity development across member states.
Minister Ekpo commended the NUPRC-led initiative, describing Eyesan’s coordination role as central to strengthening Africa’s petroleum governance architecture.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting AFRIPERF’s mandate, noting that the country would leverage its regulatory experience to deepen cooperation across the continent.
The engagement further underscores NUPRC’s expanding influence in regional energy diplomacy, as Africa moves toward greater policy alignment in the oil and gas sector.
