NCDMB, PETAN partner to promote Nigerian oil firms in Namibia

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) have partnered to promote Nigerian oil firms in Namibia.

In a statement on Tuesday, Obinna Ezeobi, the NCDMB’s spokesperson, said Nigeria’s local content successes in the oil and gas industry dominated discussions at the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference.

Ezeobi noted that the event, running from Tuesday to Friday in Windhoek, brings together policymakers, international oil companies, and stakeholders.

He said the goal is to enhance the local content ecosystem in the southern African country’s evolving oil and gas industry.

The board’s delegation is led by Felix Ogbe, executive secretary, who was represented by Abdulmalik Halilu, director of corporate services, while Wole Ogunsanya, member of the NCDMB governing council, led the PETAN team.

According to Ezeobi, Halilu delivered a presentation at the local content masterclass during the opening ceremony and outlined a number of strategies that African oil-producing countries can adopt to grow their local content capabilities.

“According to him, local content value proposition for Africa include research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, value chain optimisation, sustainable operations, increase production and utilisation of locally made goods and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP),” the statement reads.

“He identified government’s role in supplier development as regulatory, developmental and promotional.

“Using Nigeria as a case study, Halilu listed key achievements of NCDMB to include the establishment of world-class fabrication and construction yards, human capital development, manufacturing initiative, service sector growth, financial support and establishment of integration capability for floating production and storage and offloading facility (FPSO).

“On the new wave of local content development in Nigeria, the Director pointed to the promotion of equipment assembly and components manufacturing, development of small and medium enterprises, enforcement of research and development and technology transfer as well as prioritisation of gas-based industrialisation.

“Dwelling on strategies that would support the growth of African local content, he urged oil-producing countries to specialise in different manufacturing and service areas of the oil and gas industry and develop their competencies to the right specifications.

“This will enable the countries to trade among themselves and contribute towards the manufacturing of complex oil and gas equipment.

“He cited an example with the Boeing aircraft, which has critical components produced by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and assembled at a designated factory.

“Such a model, he noted, will ensure that each African country develops a competitive advantage and can contribute effectively to the African oil and gas industry.”

‘LOCAL CONTENT REGULATIONS NOT ONLY FOR FOREIGN COMPANIES’

Halilu said local content regulations must apply to all players in the industry and not only foreign companies or expatriates, and the implementation takes time, consistency, and coordination.

He added that local content implementation is a marathon, not a sprint, must be executed as a business, be cost-effective, and consider local peculiarities.

“He equally suggested that capacity building initiatives should include grassroots and underserved communities, adding that local content practice would not grow if new projects are not developed,” the statement said.

“He ended by assuring the audience that Nigeria is ready to partner with Namibia and other African nations to build an energy sector that empowers the African people and drives shared prosperity.”

On his part, Esueme Kikile, the NCDMB’s human capacity development general manager, shared the board’s success stories in human capital development.

The agency’s spokesperson noted that the conference is expected to feature another presentation by the NCDMB boss on Wednesday, while one of the panel discussions would feature Wole Ogunsanya, PETAN’s chairman.