…AFRIPERF charter to promote investments, harmonisation of petroleum regulations
Oredola Adeola
Nigeria has led the signing of a charter establishing the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), aimed at strengthening petroleum governance across the continent.
The ceremony also marked the formal activation of AFRIPERF’s Executive Committee, Technical Committee, and Secretariat.
The landmark signing ceremony, chaired by the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) Of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, took place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, on the sidelines of the 31st edition of the Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, Ghana.
The event was gracefully attended by regulators from 16 African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea and Togo. Others in attendance were Kenya, Mauritania, Benin, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Morocco.
The Chairman of Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Upstream, Senator Etang Williams, was also present as an observer.
At the ceremony, regulators from eight African countries formally endorsed the AFRIPERF Charter, while seven others present expressed support with a pledge to join at a future date after consultations.
Those who signed the charter include Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea and Togo.
This historic milestone is the climax of the proposal first introduced by Engineer Komolafe last year when he championed the creation of AFRIPERF to strengthen petroleum governance across Africa.
The Forum held its inaugural meeting in July 2024, followed by a second gathering in November 2024, setting the stage for Thursday’s breakthrough.
Engr. Komolafe who doubles as the interim chairman of the forum, in his comment described the landmark 4th AFRIPERF Meeting and Charter Signing Ceremony as a decisive step towards building a harmonised and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.
The CCE said as the world navigates complex transitions toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems, Africa must ensure that its vast hydrocarbon resources are managed with innovation, responsibility and foresight.
He said, “From our initial announcement at the 8th SAIPEC, to our inauguration during the NOG 2024 event and the careful drafting of the AFRIPERF Charter, each milestone has brought us closer to this historic day.
“By activating our Executive Committee, Technical Committee and Secretariat, we are establishing the functional pillars that will drive AFRIPERF forward, ensuring that our shared vision is translated into measurable results with defined timelines and accountability.”
The Executive Committee will serve as the principal oversight body guiding the implementation of AFRIPERF’s objectives, while its membership is for heads of Africa’s oil and gas regulatory bodies/agencies.
The secretariat committee will comprise member countries and nominations will be called for and presented to the executive committee for ratification.
“AFRIPERF provides regulators with the mechanism to harmonise our policies, address shared challenges and ensure that our perspectives are not only heard but respected on the global stage,” the interim chairman added.
The CCE commended the regulators and stakeholders for their technical contributions to the evolution of AFRIPERF.
He emphasised that the AFRIPERF Charter defines both the mission and vision of the Forum.
Komolafe added that the mission is “to enhance cooperation and collaboration among African petroleum regulators, to ensure a safe, efficient, rewarding, equitable, and sustainable petroleum industry.”
The Forum is also designed with the bold vision “to be the premier platform for African petroleum regulators to share knowledge, best practices, and expertise, in order to attain regional excellence in petroleum regulation.”
