A Watershed Moment for Africa’s Upstream: Unity, Vision, and the AFRIPERF Commitment

Today, history was made. Over 25 African nations convened in a landmark virtual meeting to agree on the final aspects of the AFRIPERF Regulators’ Charter and to formalise membership for the newly established African Regulators Upstream Network – AFRIPERF. The power of unity cannot be underestimated and with the industry in one place to agree on our path forward, it felt like a landmark moment where we are making big moves happen.

I was personally proud to have been working with Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the AFRIPERF on such an exciting moment, it was the birth of a united front for African exploration and production. For the first time we will see upstream regulators from across the continent stand together and in support of the Charter with a single purpose: to collaborate, harmonise, and accelerate the development of Africa’s natural resources. It certainly felt like we are progressing toward a united approach of Pan African success, a new dawn has broken for African upstream and we at AOW: Investing in African Energy are proud to be a part of it. At AOW:Energy 2025 in Accra, Ghana (15–18 September), every regulator will stand side by side to officially sign the charter, vote on the next AFRIPERF Chair, and mark a moment that will define the future of our industry. This is a groundbreaking chapter—not just for Africa, but for the global energy community.

The meeting, chaired by Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Chairman of AFRIPERF, was both inspiring and groundbreaking, it was a watershed moment for Africa’s upstream journey. While the purpose of AFRIPERF is grounded in the strategic ambition of harmonised growth, standardised practices, and shared success across the continent, what was most powerful today was the unmistakable energy, optimism, and commitment of our regulators and the input from each country to ensure this is the charter we want and need for sustainable success. This was a meeting of minds, but also a meeting of joint ambition as we all walk together with the single goal of growth, prosperity and realised ambition at the centre of the conversation. AFRIPERF was unmistakably united by purpose and driven by belief in the future.

At AOW:Energy, we are deeply honoured to have been part of this powerful moment. We will not rest until we see the AFRIPERF charter fully implemented and driving tangible, measurable upstream results. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all regulatory institutions in executing the AFRIPERF mandate that will benefit African nations and the partner companies that are are committed to upstream development and shared prosperity.

A special word of thanks goes to Ms. Emeafa Hardcastle , CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Ghana , for her unwavering commitment to advance the AFRIPERF charter during AOW:Energy in Accra this September. Ghana’s continued leadership and engagement through the Commission’s support of the charter is a powerful testament to the country’s cleaer ambition to grow its upstream sector and encourage meaningful continental partnerships.

We are also grateful to the many delegates who joined this defining dialogue, including leaders from INP Mozambique, Gambia Petroleum Commission, ONHYM Morocco, Petroleum Agency South Africa, NOC Kenya, NAMCOR Namibia, Petroleum Commission Namibia, and representatives from Togo, Benin, Guinea, and many more. Each one expressed clear alignment with the AFRIPERF vision, and their commitment will be vital as we work towards practical implementation.

This September, AOW:Energy Ghana will be the stage where this vision comes to life. All CEOs of Africa’s upstream regulatory agencies will come together not only to celebrate progress, but to ratify the charter, to share national upstream strategies, and to promote available data and open acreage. It will be a moment of unity and of opportunity, a gathering where Africa’s upstream story is told by Africans, for Africans, and with the global partners who believe in our future.

To Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and all the founding members of AFRIPERF: your leadership is creating what may be the most transformative platform in Africa’s upstream history. AOW:Energy salutes you. We stand ready to serve, to amplify your voices, and to ensure that the outcomes we all seek are not only discussed, but executed. In collaboration, we will build the Africa we want walking together with shared ambition and our aligned goals central to what we want to achieve. Through platforms that focus on progression, positivity, Africa centric objectives and bridging global private sector with projects on our continent, we will succeed in unlocking the resources we have and developing our continent and sector in a way we can be proud! And through partnerships like AFRIPERF. Africa’s upstream is booming, together we will develop the event we want for our upstream we want, AOW:Energy is an event of purpose and an event of change!

Lets build the Africa we want together!