Nigeria named headquarters of new African Petroleum regulators forum …Komolafe elected chair
Nigeria has been selected as the headquarters of the newly established African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), with Gbenga Komolafe, Director-General of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), elected as its inaugural chair.
The announcement followed the forum’s first executive committee meeting, held virtually on Tuesday and attended by representatives from 16 African countries.
Komolafe, who previously served as interim chair, stated that AFRIPERF’s mandate is to “lay the foundation for a more harmonized and collaborative regulatory environment across Africa.”
The forum was created to strengthen petroleum governance on the continent by harmonising regulations, promoting investment, and fostering cooperation among national energy regulators.
Eight African nations have already ratified the forum’s treaty, granting them full membership and voting rights.
As Africa’s largest crude oil producer, Nigeria has long sought to serve as a hub for regional energy collaboration.
Observers say its new role as AFRIPERF headquarters will reinforce its position as a central player in continental energy policy and regulatory leadership.
Komolafe emphasised that the forum would provide a platform for regulators to share best practices, coordinate regulatory standards, and attract sustainable investment to the African oil and gas sector.
