With the growing demand for local content development in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN)  has created a new investment focus to develop strategies on strengthening the Nigerian and African  content to other sectors of the economy.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has also intensified efforts to promote Nigerian content as it expects to achieve 70 percent local content by 2027 on major oil and gas projects in the country.

In line with these objectives, both organisations are set to lead discussions on the impact of local content at the sixth sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) scheduled for February 22 – 24 2022 in Lagos.

The SAIPEC African Content Series, expected to include strategic sessions, will provide the latest updates for delegates on local content policies from across African oil-producing countries and the opportunities for its successful implementation.

The collaborative discussions will be led by heads of independent and indigenous oil and gas companies, including Simbi Wabote, executive secretary, NCDMB; Alcides Fernandes Mendes de Andrade, planning department director of the National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG); Ranti Omole, SAIPEC steering committee and vice chairman, PETAN; Natalia Camba, head of local content, INP; and Nicolas Odinuwe, chairman, PETAN and managing director, Zitadel Limited.

Nicolas Odinuwe, PETAN chairman, said the association is revolutionising Nigerian content through the encouragement of research and development in all sectors, especially in its tertiary institutions as part of its contribution towards promoting local content.

Odinuwe said the association is training Nigerian youths to build capacities to solve challenges within the  industry and society at large by enhancing  the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) focused courses.

He added that PETAN  is helping to improve access to funding and developing technological innovations, mentorship, and development of home-grown solutions.

Speaking on the ongoing developments for SAIPEC 2022,  Lucky Akhiwu, PETAN’s  publicity secretary, said the conference is a globally recognised platform that drives regional integration by helping countries across the sub-region to close the gaps and overcome divisions that stunt its economic growth.”

SAIPEC, he explained, rides on the shared values of Africa’s common heritage in aspiring for an African Economic Community through strengthening sectoral cooperation.

According to the organisers, local content has always been at the nucleus of SAIPEC and with the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA) now in full motion, the event will welcome delegations participating from various African countries including, Nigeria, Liberia, Uganda, The Gambia, Gabon, Somaliland, Mauritania, Namibia, Angola, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Ghana and Kenya.

SAIPEC 2022 is also expected to feature over 80 industry leaders and global experts on an insightful programme which is held alongside the sold-out exhibition with over 150 companies showcasing their products and services and generating meetings with thousands of invested industry professionals.