The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said that Africa’s capacity to meet rising global energy demand will depend on increased investment, technology adoption and stronger local expertise across the oil and gas sector.
The Director of Sub-Surface Development at the commission, MeEmmanuel Mac- Jaja, said this at the 2026 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) Investment Forum on the sidelines of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.
Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria as an OEM Investment Destination: Addressing Barriers, Enabling Entry and Strengthening Local Content Partnerships”, Mac-Jaja said Africa was emerging as a strategic energy hub amid growing global demand and supply uncertainties.
According to him, fossil fuels will remain central to the global energy mix for decades despite the push for renewables.
“We do not have a resource problem. What Africa needs is execution.
“Africa must scale up production to meet domestic and global energy demand,” he said.
Mac-Jaja identified investment, technology and local capacity development as the three pillars required to unlock Africa’s energy potential.
“We need investment, technology adoption and deliberate local capacity building.
“These are critical for sustainable growth and project delivery,” the expert noted.
He said African countries were expanding upstream projects, citing activities in Senegal, Mauritania, Namibia, Mozambique, Republic of the Congo and Angola.
“Africa is scaling up through increased exploration, major discoveries and LNG expansion projects,” he stressed.
Mac-Jaja also highlighted the growing impact of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones and remotely operated systems in improving operational efficiency and reducing costs in the industry.
He credited the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for restoring investor confidence through improved fiscal and regulatory frameworks.
According to him, the NUPRC has developed 19 regulations, with eight more underway, while recent licensing rounds attracted over 300 investors for more than 50 oil blocks.
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“That level of interest shows Nigeria is becoming increasingly attractive for energy investment,” he said.
Mac Jaja disclosed that Nigeria holds over 31 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and more than 215 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, with a target of producing three million barrels of oil per day by 2030.
“We are inviting investors across the world to Nigeria.
“The opportunities are enormous, and the regulatory environment is improving continuously,” he said.(
