Nigeria and seven other African countries have endorsed a landmark charter establishing the African Petroleum Regulators Forum, setting a new course for harmonized petroleum regulation and investment promotion across the continent.

The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, on the sidelines of the 31st Africa Oil Week in Accra, Ghana, chaired by Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and interim chairman of AFRIPERF.

Regulators from 16 African countries attended the ceremony, with eight countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo – officially signing the AFRIPERF Charter.

According to Komolafe, this occasion marks “a decisive step towards a harmonised and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.” He emphasized that “this Charter is not just a document – it is a commitment by African nations to manage our hydrocarbon resources responsibly and innovatively in the face of global energy transitions.”

The AFRIPERF Charter establishes three key bodies: an Executive Committee, a Technical Committee, and a Secretariat. These structures will drive the Forum forward, ensuring tangible results with accountability and timelines.

Komolafe noted that “the Charter explicitly aims to harmonise petroleum regulations across Africa,” which is essential for reducing regulatory fragmentation, attracting international investment, and safeguarding safety and environmental standards.

Senator Etang Williams, Chairman of Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Upstream, attended the event as an observer and welcomed the development, saying, “This is a significant milestone for Africa’s oil and gas sector. A united regulatory front strengthens our negotiating power and enhances sector governance.”

AFRIPERF’s mission is “to enhance cooperation and collaboration among African petroleum regulators to ensure a safe, efficient, rewarding, equitable, and sustainable petroleum industry,” with a vision to become “the premier platform for African regulators to share knowledge and best practices in petroleum governance.”

Komolafe highlighted the Forum’s broader benefits, stating that “beyond harmonisation, AFRIPERF will promote ethical practices, transparency, technology adoption – including digitalisation and renewable integration – and support emission reduction efforts.”

He proposed aligning AFRIPERF’s Annual General Meeting with Africa Oil Week to maximize engagement, noting that “this partnership will strengthen our collective voice and facilitate shared learning.”

AFRIPERF is poised to transform Africa’s petroleum landscape, with eight nations having signed the Charter and seven others pledging support. The next steps include electing the Forum’s Chairperson, nominating representatives from member regulators, and designating its headquarters.

Komolafe concluded, “This is a historic day. Together, we are setting the foundation for Africa’s petroleum future – collaborative, sustainable, and investment-friendly.”