By Ono Yima
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called for the establishment of a unified local content framework across Africa to harmonize policies and foster cross-border partnerships for mutual prosperity. This was the central message delivered by Mr. Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, during his keynote address at the 2025 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Bridging Continents: Connecting Investors Worldwide with Africa’s Energy Potential,” is taking place from February 24 to February 27 and serves as a platform for energy industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, technology, and best practices on a global scale.
Speaking on the topic “Unlocking Africa’s Potential through Local Content: Policies, Partnerships, and Progress,” Ogbe emphasized the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a pivotal opportunity to drive industrialization across the continent through local content initiatives.
“NCDMB remains committed to working with our African counterparts to share best practices, co-develop industrial hubs, and create synergies that benefit the wider energy landscape,” he stated.
He further highlighted the importance of capacity building, policy refinement, and strategic partnerships in making Africa self-sufficient in energy development.
“Unlocking Africa’s potential through local content requires unwavering commitment to capacity building, policy refinement, and strategic partnerships. I call on all industry stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and invest in initiatives that will make Africa self-sufficient in energy development,” Ogbe urged.
As Nigeria’s foremost local content regulator, NCDMB has been instrumental in developing policies that have shaped the oil and gas sector while facilitating key public-private partnerships.
“Local Content is not just a policy – it is a strategy for sustainable economic growth. At NCDMB, through strategic initiatives, we have become a model for the continent. We have demonstrated how capacity building, policy refinement, and joint partnerships can create a thriving, self-sustaining oil and gas ecosystem,” Ogbe stated.
He outlined the board’s commitment to developing indigenous skills, asset and equipment ownership, and local manufacturing capabilities. One of NCDMB’s flagship initiatives in this regard is the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF), which provides affordable financing to help indigenous businesses acquire assets, expand operations, and deliver world-class services.
Additionally, the board’s Human Capacity Development (HCD) programmes have trained thousands of Nigerians in specialized skills aligned with industry demands, ensuring that the nation’s energy sector is driven by local talent and sustained by indigenous expertise.
Another key initiative highlighted by Ogbe is the Project 100 Initiative, designed to support and grow indigenous service companies into multinational firms.
“The Board provides opportunities by linking Project 100 companies to major operators. We also have business-to-business and market opportunities for these companies across the sub-region,” he noted. With these initiatives, NCDMB continues to position Nigeria as a leader in local content development while advocating for a collaborative approach to enhance Africa’s industrial and energy sector growth.