By Sandra Kenneth
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has commenced a nation-wide study tour of Nigeria’s oil and gas local content framework to boost indigenous participation in its own domestic energy sector.
The Congolese delegation, led by the DRC Minister of Hydrocarbons, Simplice Stev Onanga, was received in Abuja on Monday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri. The visit aims to understudy the legal, institutional, and strategic mechanisms that have driven Nigeria’s local capacity expansion over the past decade and a half.
According to a statement issued by Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager of the Corporate Communications Division at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigeria expressed complete readiness to assist fellow African nations in building sustainable energy capacity.
Speaking during the reception, Lokpobiri revealed that Nigeria has achieved a 61 percent local content capacity milestone since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 16 years ago.
“The solution to Africa’s energy challenges lies within Africa,” Lokpobiri stated, highlighting that deliberate government policies and structured regulatory frameworks have enabled local firms to thrive.
He noted that the divestment of onshore assets by International Oil Companies (IOCs) has allowed indigenous firms—such as Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Seplat Energy, and Oando Energy Resources—to acquire and operate major petroleum assets. He added that with national crude production exceeding 1.8 million barrels per day, Nigerian companies now hold significant operational control over land and shallow-water assets.
Lokpobiri also highlighted the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF), financed through a one percent levy on upstream contract awards, as a pivotal, industry-funded driver for developing local skills and infrastructure.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to helping the DRC establish a robust local content regime. Halilu noted that the NCDMB’s 10-year strategic roadmap targets 70 percent in-country value retention and the creation of over 300,000 direct jobs by 2027.
Expressing appreciation for the reception, Onanga stated that his delegation seeks to adapt relevant aspects of Nigeria’s model to the DRC’s growing petroleum sector. “We are proud to be in Nigeria to witness what has been accomplished,” he said.
The study tour, running through Friday, includes site visits to the NCDMB headquarters in Bayelsa State, fabrication facilities at the Onne Free Zone, an NLNG supplier session, the University of Port Harcourt Gas Centre, as well as engagements at the LADOL and Nigerdock industrial yards.
