The Dangote Group has reinforced its long-standing partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) through the signing of a $600 million loan facility to support the expansion of its fertiliser production capacity, an important milestone in advancing food security across Nigeria and the African continent.
The financing, extended to GreenView Fertilizer Corporation (Greenview), the Dangote Fertiliser Holding Company, will partly fund the expansion of urea production capacity in Nigeria as well as the development of a new fertiliser plant in Ethiopia.
This investment forms a key component of the Dangote Group’s broader $7 billion fertiliser expansion programme. The initiative is expected to increase production capacity in Nigeria from 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 9 MTPA, while also supporting the establishment of a new 3 MTPA urea plant in Ethiopia. Upon completion, the programme will significantly boost Africa’s fertiliser output, strengthen regional food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and reduce dependence on imports.
The facility underscores AFC’s strong confidence in Dangote Group’s vision to drive industrial growth and agricultural transformation through large-scale infrastructure investments. The funds will primarily support the ongoing expansion of the Dangote Fertiliser Plant at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, one of the largest granulated urea fertiliser complexes in the world.
The expansion is expected to substantially scale up production, improve supply chain efficiency, and ensure consistent availability of high-quality fertilisers to farmers across the continent. It will also contribute to price stability, reduce import dependency, and enhance crop yields, strengthening Africa’s overall food security framework.
Speaking on the development, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the expansion would generate significant foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria.
“This investment positions us to deliver over $4 billion annually in fertiliser exports within the next three years. It represents a major contribution to Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and underscores our commitment to national economic growth.
Our growth vision is not in isolation, we are building alongside strategic African partners like AFC and other institutions committed to the continent’s progress.”
Also commenting on the transaction, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal:
“This transaction reflects AFC’s capital recycling model in action. Following the successful repayment of our earlier investment in Dangote Industries Limited, we are reinvesting and doubling that capital into Dangote Group’s next growth phase.
By supporting the expansion of Dangote Fertilizer, AFC is backing a proven African industrial leader whose investments will strengthen food security, reduce import dependence, and create long-term economic value across the continent.”
This development builds on AFC’s strong track record of successful investments and exits across Africa, including projects in renewable energy, port infrastructure, digital connectivity, and industrial platforms.
The Dangote Fertiliser Plant currently plays a critical role in meeting domestic demand while exporting to international markets, thereby generating valuable foreign exchange for Nigeria. With this new phase of expansion, the company is poised to consolidate its leadership position in the global fertiliser market while advancing Africa’s agricultural and economic resilience.
]]>The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), has commenced a 12-month Human Capacity Development (HCD) programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with critical competencies required to support supply base operations within the oil and gas industry.
The programme, which kicked off on Tuesday, at the LADOL free zone, Apapa, Lagos, will train 12 beneficiaries through a structured combination of classroom learning and practical industry exposure in specialised areas that support logistics, trade, procurement, and supply chain operations.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Human Capacity Development, Ms. Alexis Emelle, described the initiative as more than a training programme, noting that it is an investment in people and the future of Nigeria’s energy industry.
She stated that the programme reflects the Board’s commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of the industry and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive in specialised fields.
Emelle reminded the trainees that being selected for the programme comes with responsibility and urged them to approach the training with discipline, commitment, and a willingness to learn.
According to her, the industry requires professionals who are dependable, adaptable, and solution-oriented, adding that every assignment, lesson, and practical experience should be seen as an opportunity to build competence and character.
Speaking on behalf of SNEPCo, the Nigerian Content Manager, Mr. Obiajulu Onochie, described human capital development as a key component of operational excellence.
He noted that the success of Nigerian Content is closely linked to the work of NCDMB and commended the Board for establishing itself as one of the most professional institutions driving capacity development in the industry.
Onochie added that SNEPCo remains passionate about developing Nigerian talent and has implemented several training initiatives this year in areas including cybersecurity, NEBOSH, blockchain architecture, and subsea disciplines.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to local content development, stressing that investing in people is essential to building a sustainable energy industry.
In her remarks, a representative of LADOL underscored the significance of Nigerian Content to indigenous businesses, stating that without local content, “LADOL would not exist in its present form”.
The representative added that the organisation remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen local capacity and prepare young Nigerians for meaningful careers within the sector.
Following a rigorous two-stage selection process, the 12 beneficiaries will undergo training designed to equip them with practical skills required to support supply base operations and strengthen Nigeria’s local content capacity.
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Mr. Olaniye Sodiq expressed appreciation to NCDMB, SNEPCo, LADOL, and all the training partners for investing resources in their development.
He said the beneficiaries were eager to learn and looked forward to contributing meaningfully to LADOL and the wider oil and gas industry upon completion of the programme.
The Human Capacity Development initiative reinforces NCDMB’s commitment to building sustainable local capacity by aligning training programmes with industry needs and creating pathways for young Nigerians to access high-value career opportunities within the energy sector.
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A delegation from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has visited the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on a knowledge sharing and local content benchmarking study, with a view to deepen their understanding of the Board’s local content development practices in the areas of policy frameworks and implementation strategies, among other things.
The delegation, led by the Director of Corporate Affairs at GNPC, Mr. Eric Pwadura, is on week tour of the NCDMB corporate headquarters, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and was received on Monday by the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe.
Welcoming the delegation, the Executive Secretary remarked that Africa has evolved over the last three to four decades, growing its hydrocarbon resources to over 120 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and 800 trillion standard cubic feet of gas, which constitute over 10 per cent of hydrocarbon resources globally.
He pointed out that as a hydrocarbon resource continent, it is in the national interest of the producing countries to prioritise local content development, paying particular attention to the necessity of reversing the trend of dependency on foreign technology for exploration, field development and production activities. The countries have to look inward for the capabilities to exploit their resources, he said.
Represented by the Director, Corporate Services of the NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, the NCDMB boss explained the potential of “crude oil as commodity for economic transformation,” noting that Africa has the advantage of a huge youth population, that is, the labour force, which should be made to acquire the requisite skills for industry operations.
He recalled that Nigeria’s local content journey began with the Local Content Division in the defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), managing local content issues in the oil and gas industry through mere policy directives, and transformed into the NCDMB we have today. “We have evolved from a policy to an institution,” he enthused, adding, “NCDMB is the sole agency responsible for local content” in Nigeria.
He disclosed that NCDMB Board introduced the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, which comprises five strategic pillars, namely, Technical Capability Development, Compliance and Enforcement, Enabling Business Environment, Organisational Capability, and Sectoral and Regional Markets, as well as five enablers, namely, Funding, Regulatory Environment, Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement, and Research and Development.
Among strategies for capacity building, Engr. Ogbe listed the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund), which it operates through development finance institutions like the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) to provide single digit loans to service companies. “What we have done is to create that access to make the local service companies competitive,” he explained, adding that the facility has enabled indigenous companies to acquire critical assets and facilities, including marine vessels operating in Nigeria.
He pointed out that when capacities are built, they must be utilised, hence the Board incentivises investments through a policy of First Consideration that favours indigenous companies with demonstrable capabilities.
He advised African countries seeking to broaden indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry that “local content does not compromise standards…it does not mean you have African spec, European spec,” adding, “It’s one global spec.”
In focused presentation on the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, Assistant Manager in the Strategy and Transformational Projects, NCDMB, Dr. Zuwairat Asekome, gave highlights of the journey of the Board, beginning with the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, through successive stages of growth in the implementation of local content policy and monitoring to the present, when it has successfully raised in-country value addition in the industry to 61 per cent.
In his response, Mr. Eric Pwadura expressed profound appreciation for the privilege to participate in a programme for knowledge sharing at the NCDMB, stating, “Even though we have the legislation guiding local content, we have not had the benefit of having a robust local content environment like you have.”
According to him, “If we take our organization (Ghana National Petroleum Corporation), for example, what we have is a local content unit. That’s currently the structure that we have,” adding, “We want to have a deeper understanding of your local content development programme.”
In his remarks, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of the NCDMB, Esueme Dan Kikile Esq. noted the high interest of African oil producing countries in local content. “It’s important that we work together; we are happy to continue to share our experience in oil and gas, share our experience in local content,” he stated.
In an opening address, the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD), NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, explained that “Nigeria and Ghana have had a long history of collaboration in the energy sector, and that the NCDMB and the GNPC have had fruitful interactions at international conferences. He said NCDMB had mentored several African organsations on local content. NCDMB, he added, has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Petroleum Commission Ghana, the National Content Monitoring Committee of Senegal (ST-CNSCL), as well as partnerships with related agencies in Mozambique, Angolan, and Namibia.
Other delegates from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation are Mrs. Jennifer Boateng, Adviser, General Services; Mr. Augustine Bayivella, Principal, Supply Chain and Local Content Development Officer, and Mr. Seidu Salim Braimah, Manager, Supply Chain and Local Content Development.
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S&P Global Ratings has assigned African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) a ‘BBB+’ long-term issuer credit rating and an ‘A-2’ short-term issuer credit rating, with a Stable Outlook, reinforcing the Bank’s strong financial standing and its critical role in driving trade, industrialisation and economic development across Africa and the wider Global Africa community.
According to S&P, the rating reflects Afreximbank’s growing strategic importance, robust enterprise risk profile and expanding role as a countercyclical institution supporting African economies through periods of global and regional uncertainty.
The ratings agency highlighted the Bank’s strong policy relevance and shareholder support, underscoring its critical role in advancing intra-African trade, supporting implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and developing transformative platforms and solutions that strengthen regional integration and economic resilience.
S&P noted that Afreximbank’s strong track record of delivering on its mandate underscores its strategic importance. “Afreximbank’s policy relevance has improved in recent years, as demonstrated by significant lending growth and shareholder support through a growing capital base supported by capital injections. Between 2015 and 2025, total assets expanded to $42.3 billion from $7.1 billion, supported by shareholders’ equity increasing to $8.4 billion from $1.3 billion.”
Commenting on the rating, Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said:
“This rating is a strong endorsement of Afreximbank’s financial strength, stability, and international credibility, and a clear affirmation of its strategic importance to — and impact across — Global Africa. It reflects the Bank’s solid capital base, strong liquidity, the quality of its assets, and, in particular, the unwavering belief in the institution by African states and authorities. The events of recent years, and the last two years in particular, underscore a central lesson: much as the struggle for independence, the pursuit of Africa’s economic change will not be handed to us. It demands a deliberate, bold, courageous and decisive action by the continent itself, working with its diaspora.”
S&P Global Ratings also referenced Afreximbank’s role in responding to major external shocks affecting African economies. These include the Bank’s support during the global financial crisis, the commodity price downturn, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other periods of heightened global uncertainty. Backing this trend the Bank recently announced a US$10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme (GCRP) to shield African and Caribbean economies from Middle East Conflict shocks.
Afreximbank has continued to strengthen the systems required to support African trade and investment, including the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, the Africa Trade Gateway, the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, trade finance facilities, project finance, institutional support and advisory services.
The Stable Outlook reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of Afreximbank’s strengthened role as a countercyclical lender in Africa, ongoing shareholder support and consecutive capital increases.
Afreximbank remains focused on delivering its mandate to transform the structure of African trade by supporting industrialisation, expanding intra-African trade, strengthening regional value chains and increasing Africa’s participation in global trade.
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The Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) at Emeyal-1, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State will become operational by the fourth quarter of 2026, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed.
Towards the target date, the NCDMB is set to install a 2.5-megawatt Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) power plant at the park. The power plant is one of the key steps to getting the facility operational, as it will provide reliable and sustainable electricity supply to support industrial operations within the park.
The General Manager Corporate Communications NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi gave the assurance after an assessment visit to the facility by key personnel of the Board on Friday. The tour revealed significant progress across key infrastructure and support systems designed to position the facility as a major industrial hub for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme was conceived to deepen Nigerian Content by providing a conducive environment for the manufacturing of components, equipment and other inputs required by the oil and gas industry, while creating employment opportunities for over 2000 persons when fully operational, and stimulating economic growth.
Giving further insights into the current state of the facility, Manager Strategy and Transformation Projects, NCDMB, Mr. Olubisi Okunola explained that several critical facilities within the park have been completed and are ready for use. These include manufacturing shop floors, a fully functional water treatment plant, well-equipped accommodation facilities, modern classrooms, an amphitheater, and residential apartments for trainers, facilitators and visiting guests.
In addition to the CNG power plant, NCDMB has also completed key power infrastructure, including the switchgear building, transformers and heavy-duty generators.
To further enhance the park’s capacity for manufacturing activities, the Board has also awarded a contract for the sand-filling of ponds located within the facility. Upon completion of the sand-filling exercise, six manufacturing sheds will be constructed on the reclaimed land to provide industrial spaces for prospective investors and service providers.
Environmental maintenance activities are also ongoing, with landscaping and routine facility upkeep being carried out across the park to preserve existing infrastructure and maintain operational readiness.
Ongoing works at the facility are focused on ensuring that all supporting infrastructure and utilities required for seamless operations are fully in place ahead of the park’s planned operational date.
When operational, the Oil and Gas Park Scheme will serve as a strategic platform for the growth of indigenous manufacturing and service companies, reduce dependence on imported oil and gas components, create employment opportunities for Nigerians, and strengthen local participation across the oil and gas value chain.
The NCDMB remains committed to the successful delivery of the project in line with its mandate of developing in-country capacity and advancing Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.
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By Sola Adebawo
BP’s recent decision to eliminate its standalone Low Carbon Energy division and reorganize around upstream and downstream hydrocarbons is more than a corporate restructuring.
It is one of the clearest signals yet that the assumptions underpinning the global energy transition are being reassessed.
For much of the past decade, BP positioned itself as the oil major most determined to reinvent itself. Under its previous leadership, the company sought to transform from a traditional oil and gas producer into an integrated energy company, reducing emphasis on hydrocarbons while expanding investments in renewable energy and other low-carbon businesses.
Today, that strategy is being recalibrated.
Some observers see this as evidence that the energy transition is failing. Others view it as vindication for those who argued that oil and gas would remain dominant for decades.
Both interpretations miss the deeper lesson.
BP’s restructuring does not signal the end of the energy transition. Around the world, investments in renewable energy, battery storage, grid modernization, electric mobility, hydrogen, biofuels, and energy efficiency continue to grow. Electrification remains one of the defining trends of the twenty-first century.
What BP’s decision reveals is something else entirely.
The greatest challenge facing the energy transition is no longer technology.
For years, many policymakers, investors, and activists assumed that major oil companies would become the primary vehicles through which the world transitioned away from fossil fuels. BP embraced that vision more aggressively than most of its peers.
Yet investors increasingly questioned whether low-carbon investments could consistently generate returns comparable to those available in traditional oil and gas businesses. At the same time, global energy demand continued to rise, oil and gas markets remained resilient, and concerns about energy security returned to the forefront of policymaking.
The result is not a rejection of energy transition.
It is a recognition that energy transitions are ultimately constrained by economics.
BP’s decision should not be interpreted as an industry-wide retreat from lower-carbon energy. Companies such as Chevron, Shell, and TotalEnergies continue to invest in carbon reduction technologies, renewable power, biofuels, hydrogen, and other transition-related opportunities. The difference is increasingly one of emphasis rather than direction.
Across much of the industry, the emerging consensus appears to be that hydrocarbons will finance the transition rather than be rapidly displaced by it.
This reality reinforces an argument I advanced in an earlier article: the future of energy will not be built without hydrocarbon-generated capital.
That statement is often misunderstood, it is not an argument against renewable energy.
Nor is it an argument for perpetual dependence on fossil fuels.
Rather, it is an acknowledgment of a simple reality. The capital required to build the future energy system must come from somewhere.
Today, a significant portion of that capital continues to originate from hydrocarbons.
Even many investments associated with the energy transition continue to depend, directly or indirectly, on wealth generated from fossil fuel production.
This reality is especially important for Africa.
The continent’s challenge has never been choosing between hydrocarbons and renewables.
Its challenge is financing development.
For many African countries, hydrocarbons remain among the few available sources of large-scale investable capital capable of funding electricity access,
industrialization, transportation infrastructure, human capital development, and economic diversification.
Yet history offers an important warning, hydrocarbon wealth is not development, it is development capital.
History demonstrates that resource wealth alone creates neither prosperity nor industrialization. Numerous countries have earned enormous revenues from oil and gas while achieving limited economic transformation. The difference between success and failure has never been the existence of resource wealth itself. The difference lies in institutions, governance, policy discipline, and the ability to convert natural capital into productive capital.
Hydrocarbon revenues can finance transformation, they cannot substitute for it.
This distinction is critical because the debate is often framed incorrectly.
The choice facing Africa is not between producing hydrocarbons and pursuing energy transition.
Nor is it between economic development and climate responsibility.
The real challenge is using today’s resource wealth to build tomorrow’s economy.
That means investing hydrocarbon revenues in power infrastructure, manufacturing capacity, transportation networks, technology ecosystems, educational institutions, and globally competitive industries.
In short, it means transforming finite resource wealth into enduring economic capability.
BP’s decision also highlights a broader shift in how the energy transition itself should be understood.
For much of the past decade, many discussions assumed a future in which renewables would rapidly replace hydrocarbons. Reality is proving more complex.
Across much of the world, energy demand continues to grow faster than new energy sources can fully displace existing ones.
Renewables are expanding. Electricity demand is expanding. Natural gas remains essential in many markets. Oil demand remains substantial. Developing economies continue to require increasing amounts of affordable and reliable energy to support industrialization and rising living standards.
The emerging reality is not simply one of energy replacement.
It is one of energy addition.
The world is still transitioning, but it increasingly appears to be transitioning from a hydrocarbon-dominated system toward a hydrocarbon-plus-electricity system rather than rapidly eliminating hydrocarbons altogether.
That distinction has profound implications for Africa.
It suggests that the continent may have a longer window than many anticipated to convert hydrocarbon wealth into productive assets before global demand eventually peaks and declines.
But a longer window should not be mistaken for an unlimited one.
The opportunity remains significant, but it is not permanent.
Countries that use hydrocarbon revenues to build productive economies will be better positioned for the future.
Those that merely consume resource wealth will find themselves increasingly vulnerable as the global energy system evolves.
Ultimately, BP’s restructuring is not a story about the failure of energy transition.
It is a story about the economics of transition.
It is a reminder that aspirations must be financed, infrastructure must be funded, and transformation requires capital.
The future of energy may well be lower carbon.
But for much of the world, and especially for Africa, the capital required to build that future will continue to come from hydrocarbon-generated wealth for decades to come.
The real question is not whether Africa should produce hydrocarbons.
The real question is whether Africa can convert hydrocarbon wealth into the infrastructure, industries, and institutions that ultimately make hydrocarbons less necessary.
Oil is not Africa’s future, but for much of Africa, oil may still be the capital that finances it.
Sola Adebawo is an energy industry executive and strategic advisor with nearly three decades of experience across Africa’s oil and gas sector. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Hyphen Partners Limited, a specialist advisory firm focused on policy and regulatory intelligence, market entry, stakeholder strategy, and executive positioning in complex and highly regulated industries. He writes on energy, industrialization, development sovereignty, and Africa’s economic transformation.
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Determined to build Nigerian workforce with practical skills for top careers in the local and international oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited (BHNL), has commenced a significant Human Capacity Development (HCD) programme aimed at developing a new generation of pilots for the aviation segment of the oil and gas industry.
The training was unveiled in Lagos on Wednesday, and will provide 10 Nigerians with world-class aviation training, positioning them for careers in one of the specialised and critical sectors supporting offshore oil and gas operations.
Helicopter piloting was identified as one of the priority skills under the NCDMB Field Readiness Training, which was spurred by the resurgence of big-ticket investments and new projects in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The Field Readiness Training initiative is a special Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme that would train over 10,000 young graduates and technicians in top 10 high-demand skills in the sector and position them to take part actively in the oil and gas projects recently launched by some international and indigenous operating oil and gas companies.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Capacity Building Directorate, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, described the programme as more than the commencement of a training exercise, noting that it represents the opening of a rare opportunity for young Nigerians to build careers in a highly specialised profession.
According to him, the 18-month exercise will combine intensive classroom instruction, ground training, and practical flight operations leading to the attainment of Private Pilot Licences and Commercial Pilot Licences. He noted that the initiative reflects the Board’s commitment to building local capacity, deepening Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry, and creating opportunities that drive national growth.
Bamidele added that the programme, delivered in partnership with Chevron, represents a deliberate investment in Nigerian talent and a strategic effort to strengthen indigenous capacity within the aviation and energy sectors. He stressed that the beneficiaries would be measured not only by the licences they obtain but also by the professionalism, discipline, and excellence they demonstrate throughout their careers.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Human Capacity Development, Ms. Alexis Emelle, encouraged the trainees to take the opportunity seriously and remain focused throughout the training period. She reminded them that significant resources had been committed to their development and urged them not to forget where they came from as they progressed in their careers.
Speaking on behalf of Chevron Nigeria Limited’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Mr. Oduselu Olusoga, the General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Mr. Ikhuoria Aimienwanu, described the initiative as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He noted that the programme is particularly important because it is the first of its kind and was conceived to address the shortage of indigenous pilots in the sector. According to him, Chevron’s commitment extends beyond infrastructure and facilities to the development of people, adding that the programme was designed to train Nigerians to international standards and prepare them for opportunities in the global aviation industry.
Aimienwanu commended NCDMB for its leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing human capacity development, noting that the investment would create lasting value for both the aviation and oil and gas industries.
The Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited, Capt. Oladapo Oyeleke, described the programme as another milestone in the company’s long history of aviation training and excellence.
He disclosed that Bristow has trained aviation professionals for more than 60 years and has produced over 500 pilots across different jurisdictions. He expressed excitement at welcoming 10 new trainees into the profession, describing the initiative as the first of many similar programmes expected in the future.
Capt. Oyeleke noted that helicopter operations within the energy sector are highly complex and demand exceptional competence and discipline. He advised the trainees not to underestimate the challenge ahead and encouraged them to remain focused, determined, and committed throughout the programme.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Itorobong Inyang, described her selection as a proud moment and an opportunity to challenge stereotypes about women in aviation.
She said she had always viewed the industry as male-dominated but was encouraged to apply and successfully emerged through a merit-based selection process. She urged more women to take advantage of opportunities within the oil and gas industry and pursue careers in specialised fields.
The trainees will undergo ab-initio pilot training at Henley Air in South Africa, where they will acquire Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Night Rating, and Instrument Rating qualifications before proceeding to aircraft type-rating training.
The selection process was through a rigorous and merit-based process consistent with the objectives of the initiative.
]]>By AJERAP Correspondent
The Government of the Republic of The Gambia has signed a Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production Licence Agreement, PEPLA, for Offshore Block A1 with Eni through its subsidiary, Eni Gambia Ltd, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to deepen offshore petroleum exploration and attract foreign investment into its upstream sector.
The agreement, signed on June 5, 2026, was executed by the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines on behalf of the Gambian government.
According to the government, the agreement followed a multi-year engagement process coordinated by the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia, including data room visits, pre-qualification exercises under a Request for Information process, and technical as well as commercial negotiations.
Offshore Block A1, which spans about 1,300 square kilometres, is located in the deepwater Atlantic Margin off the Gambian coast, with water depths reaching about 3,300 metres.
The government said the block lies within a region where hydrocarbon discoveries have already been recorded in adjacent geological settings, adding that previous geophysical and geological studies indicated strong exploration prospects.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Gambian State will retain a 10 per cent carried equity interest in the block during the exploration phase through the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation.
This Is a defining moment for The Gambia’s Energy Sector — Hon. Juwara
Speaking on the development, the Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Hon. Nani Juwara, described the agreement as a defining moment for the country’s energy sector.
He said: “The signing of this Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production Licence Agreement with Eni is a proud and defining moment for The Gambia’s energy sector.
“It reflects the confidence that a world-class operator has placed in our country’s resource potential and in the credibility of our investment climate.”
Juwara added that the administration of President Adama Barrow remained committed to ensuring that exploration activities are conducted responsibly and in the long-term interest of the Gambian people.
“We enter this chapter with measured optimism: not as a nation that has already found oil, but as a nation that has created the right conditions to responsibly find it,” he added.
We worked hard to present hydrocarbon assets to the market — Jobe
On her part, the Director General and Commissioner of Petroleum at the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia, Engr. Cany Jobe, said the agreement was the outcome of a deliberate and transparent licensing process.
According to her, the commission worked extensively to present the country’s hydrocarbon assets competitively to global investors through international promotion, technical evaluation and structured negotiations.
She stated that the signing further reinforced The Gambia’s emergence as a frontier exploration destination with promising geological potential and a clear regulatory framework.
She said: “The signing of the Block A1 PEPLA with Eni is the result of a deliberate, evidence-based and institution-led licensing process.
“Through the management of the national data room, international promotion of The Gambia’s petroleum potential, the pre-qualification process, and technical and commercial negotiations, the Petroleum Commission has worked to ensure that the country’s hydrocarbon assets are presented to the market in a credible and competitive manner.
“This signing reinforces The Gambia’s position as an emerging frontier jurisdiction with strong geological potential and a clear regulatory framework. We look forward to working with Eni as it commences its exploration programme, while maintaining robust regulatory oversight at every stage.”
The Gambia commends Committee
The Government of The Gambia commended members of the National Petroleum Negotiating Committee, whose collective expertise and dedication were instrumental in bringing the agreement to fruition, for their professionalism and commitment throughout the negotiation process.
The committee included representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines; the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia; the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation; the Geological Department; the Office of the President; the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs; the National Environment Agency; the Gambia Revenue Authority; the Gambia Maritime Authority; and the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency.
Eni, a Global Integrated Energy Company
However, Eni is a global integrated energy company headquartered in Rome, Italy, with operations across more than 60 countries.
The company is recognised for its expertise in deepwater exploration and development, with a strong operational footprint across Sub-Saharan Africa, including major offshore discoveries and developments in Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Angola and Namibia.
Eni’s exploration strategy focuses on building a geographically diversified portfolio encompassing proven yet underexplored areas and high-potential frontier basins.
Eni Gambia Ltd is a branch of Eni S.p.A., incorporated for the purpose of undertaking petroleum exploration and development activities in The Gambia.
With its proven expertise in deepwater exploration and production, as well as established operational standards, Eni is well positioned to responsibly advance exploration activities in Block A1.
]]>… Reinforces dominance in industrial, social impact and development rankings
Dangote Industries Limited has reinforced its position as Africa’s most influential corporate brands after emerging as the continent’s Most Admired African Brand for the eight consecutive years, while its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was named among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers.
The recognition was announced at the 16th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands rankings unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The survey, regarded as Africa’s most comprehensive consumer-led brand study, covered 30 countries representing more than 85 per cent of the continent’s population and economic output.
In the latest rankings, Dangote emerged as Africa’s Most Admired Brand in aided recall, ahead of South Africa’s MTN and Vodacom. In the spontaneous recall category, it ranked second among African brands, behind MTN and ahead of Trade Kings. The Group also retained its position as Africa’s Most Admired Industrial Brand and was ranked the No. 1 African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa, ahead of MTN, DStv, Shoprite/Checkers and Trade Kings, reflecting its significant contribution to industrialisation, job creation, economic development and sustainable growth across the continent.
The rankings show Dangote’s growing influence as one of Africa’s most recognisable corporate brands, built on investments spanning cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, energy, sugar, salt, packaging and logistics. Brand Africa noted that despite a modest rebound in African brand recognition, homegrown brands still account for only 15 per cent of Africa’s 100 most admired brands, highlighting the continued dominance of foreign brands across the continent.
Brand Africa Founder and Chairman, Thebe Ikalafeng, described the promotion and support of African brands as a critical economic imperative for the continent.
“Converting goodwill towards African contribution into admiration for African brands is the most urgent commercial opportunity for the continent. It is not enough for Africans to believe in Africa, they must buy Made-in-Africa,” he said.
The survey also ranked Dangote among Africa’s leading brands in sustainability and social impact, placing second in the category of brands recognised for doing good for society, people and the environment.
Despite the dominance of global brands across Africa, Dangote has cemented its position as one of the continent’s leading corporate brands, alongside MTN and Ethiopian Airlines. The three emerged as the highest ranked African brands in the 2026 Brand Africa rankings, standing out on a list dominated by global names such as Nike, Adidas, Samsung, Apple and Coca-Cola. The achievement is notable given that African brands accounted for just 15 per cent of the Top 100 rankings, compared with 38 per cent for European brands, 28 per cent for North American brands and 19 per cent for Asian brands.
Further strengthening the Group’s standing, its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, was selected for the inaugural Africa CMO 100 (ACMO100) list, which recognises the continent’s most impactful marketing, brand and reputation leaders.
The ACMO100 initiative, launched by Brand Africa in partnership with African Business magazine, MIPAD and the African Media Agency, honours marketing executives whose work is shaping Africa’s business narrative, strengthening brand equity and driving economic growth across the continent and the diaspora.
Chiejina was among only 20 executives selected from West Africa and one of 17 Nigerians recognised for their contribution to brand building, corporate reputation management and strategic communications.
According to Brand Africa, the selection process was based on independent research, industry impact, leadership influence and contribution to the growth of brands that shape consumer perceptions and economic outcomes across Africa.
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours for Dangote Industries, which was inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame last year for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over more than a decade. Its President and Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote, was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for championing industrialisation and building one of Africa’s most successful indigenous enterprises.
]]>The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is partnering the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority in order to enforce radiological safety in oil and gas operations and reduce the overall cost of operations.
This was the outcome of a meeting between the Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and the Director-General/CEO of NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris; at the NUPRC headquarters recently.
While the NUPRC regulates the technical, commercial and operational aspects of oil and gas exploration and production, the NNRA oversees the possession, use, transportation and disposal of radioactive sources while also facilitating the beneficial use of radiation technologies across various sectors of the economy.
In her remarks, the Commission Chief Executive said there was indeed a need to tackle regulatory gaps and the multiplicity of rules and regulations in the oil and gas industry in order to improve the ease of doing business.
“The only way we can safeguard investments is to reduce our cost of operations and when you have multiplicity of laws, the likelihood is that you will have higher costs because each law normally will come with its own fee and charges,” the NUPRC boss said.
Eyesan nominated senior officials from the Commission that will work closely with the NNRA on the task ahead.
“We have identified critical areas on both sides and we believe that as we collaborate, we can close existing gaps,” she said.
Responding, the DG of the NNRA stated that given that the upstream petroleum sector is one of the largest users of radioactive sources and ionizing and radiation-emitting equipment in Nigeria – particularly for well logging, industrial radiography and nucleonic gauging – the NNRA relies on the cooperation of the NUPRC in order to fulfil its mandate.
“The goal is a single window approach, where both agencies share information rather than requiring operators to submit the same data twice,” he said.
Idris further stated that since oil and gas extraction often brings Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) to the surface, the NNRA seeks the assistance of the Commission to ensure that operators conduct radiological impact assessments as part of their broader Environmental Impact Assessments while NORM management protocols are incorporated into the NUPRC’s environmental guidelines for the upstream sector.
Both institutions are also expected to collaborate in training and knowledge sharing in the area of radiation protection and safe operations.
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