RismadarVoice Reporters, June 17, 2026
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling energy poverty and advancing sustainable energy development across Africa.
Ekpo pledged this while receiving a delegation of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), led by its Chairperson, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.
The Minister said Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon resources and decades of regulatory experience place the country in a strategic position to provide leadership in Africa’s energy sector and assist other nations in strengthening their regulatory institutions.
He called on AFRIPERF to deepen collaboration among African countries and champion policies capable of unlocking the continent’s abundant energy resources for economic growth and sustainable development.
“Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic growth while millions of its people remain trapped in energy poverty,” Ekpo said.
“Nigeria is uniquely positioned to provide leadership, drawing from our abundant gas resources and years of regulatory and industry experience. Through forums such as this, we must unite African countries, attract the investments and technologies needed, and build partnerships that will help resolve the continent’s energy challenge.”
The Minister assured the forum of the Federal Government’s support in advancing initiatives aimed at improving energy access and strengthening regulatory frameworks across the continent.
Earlier, the Chairperson of AFRIPERF and Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the forum was established to bring together petroleum regulators across Africa to address common challenges and promote shared objectives.
According to her, AFRIPERF seeks to foster regulatory harmony, encourage cooperation among member states and support the adoption of international best practices in the regulation of Africa’s petroleum industry.
Eyesan disclosed that several African countries, including Ghana, Somalia, The Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea and Togo, have already expressed interest in joining the forum, while others are currently undergoing internal approval processes before formal membership.
She noted that the growing interest in AFRIPERF reflects a collective determination among African nations to strengthen regulatory institutions and leverage the continent’s vast energy resources for development.
The meeting underscored ongoing efforts by African regulators to enhance cooperation and create a unified framework for addressing energy challenges, attracting investment and accelerating access to affordable and reliable energy across the continent.
