NPA CEO Advocates Regulatory Harmonisation to Boost Africa’s Downstream Petroleum Sector

The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, has called for greater regulatory harmonisation among African countries to attract investment, improve market efficiency and strengthen the continent’s downstream petroleum industry.

Mr Tameklo made the call during a high-level panel discussion on regulatory convergence in African oil and gas markets at the 20th edition of the OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.

He said aligning regulatory standards, licensing requirements and compliance procedures across jurisdictions could make it easier for businesses to operate across borders while improving investor confidence in Africa’s energy sector.

Speaking at the event, the NPA Chief Executive emphasised that closer cooperation among African regulators could help reduce regulatory barriers and create a more integrated petroleum market.

He noted that although countries maintain distinct national regulatory frameworks, greater alignment in key areas could support cross-border trade, improve operational efficiency and encourage investment in the downstream petroleum industry.

According to Mr Tameklo, regulatory convergence should form part of a broader strategy to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Africa’s energy sector.

Mr Tameklo also highlighted the need for strategic investments in refining infrastructure, technology, storage facilities and human capital to increase value addition within Africa’s petroleum industry.

He said expanding domestic refining capacity and promoting technology transfer were important steps towards reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthening energy security.

Such investments, he added, could also create sustainable employment opportunities while enabling African countries to retain more value from their petroleum resources.

The NPA CEO’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions across the continent about how to improve local refining capacity, strengthen petroleum supply chains and build a more resilient energy industry.

Mr Tameklo called for closer collaboration among regulators, governments and industry stakeholders to support cross-border energy projects, encourage knowledge sharing and establish common standards.

He said stronger institutional capacity and a skilled workforce would also be essential to ensuring that Africa’s petroleum industry remains competitive in the long term.

According to him, coordinated regulatory approaches could help countries address shared industry challenges while creating opportunities for regional integration and cooperation.

He stressed that regulatory convergence should not be viewed merely as a compliance exercise but as a strategic tool for attracting investment, stimulating innovation and accelerating the development of a more connected African energy market.

The OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week brings together industry leaders, policymakers, regulators and energy experts to discuss developments and challenges within Africa’s downstream petroleum sector.

Mr Tameklo’s participation placed emphasis on the role of regulatory cooperation in improving the business environment, supporting infrastructure development and strengthening energy security across African markets.

His message was that harmonised regulations, investment in infrastructure and stronger institutional collaboration could help unlock further opportunities for growth across the continent’s petroleum industry.