Energy regulators and industry stakeholders across Africa have renewed calls for regional integration, harmonised policies, and greater investment to enhance sustainability and competitiveness in the continent’s oil and gas markets.

The appeal came during the 19th Oil Trading and Logistics Africa Downstream Energy Week 2025 held on Wednesday in Lagos. The conference drew participants from across the continent.

Speakers agreed that fragmented regulatory frameworks and inconsistent energy policies hinder market integration and growth, despite Africa’s abundance of natural resources.

The director-general of Sierra Leone’s National Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Brima Koroma, said Africa’s oil and gas industry was at a “pivotal juncture” requiring coordinated regulation.

He noted that fragmentation of laws, standards, licensing, and tax regimes across Africa weakens collective leverage and discourages investment.

Mr Koroma warned that without unified frameworks, conflicting policies would continue to deter investors, restrict trade, and create inefficiencies in pricing and supply.

He outlined a five-step pathway towards integration, including harmonised regulations, policy flexibility, and promotion of shared refineries and pipelines.

Musa Njie, director of petroleum at Gambia’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, said harmonisation was vital for smaller economies dependent on imported petroleum products.

He stated that aligning national rules with ECOWAS directives would boost energy security, attract investors, and position Gambia as a regional energy hub.

“Harmonisation makes The Gambia’s market more attractive by ensuring clear, consistent, and predictable regulations,” Mr Njie said.

He added that joint infrastructure and coordinated policy would strengthen regional cooperation and trade.

Mr Njie also highlighted The Gambia’s digitalisation drive, including new inspection systems and testing facilities to improve fuel quality assurance.

 The chief executive officer of OTL Downstream Development Africa Ltd., Joyce Akabogu, restated the downstream sector’s central role in Africa’s economic transformation.

“The downstream is where energy meets the people, where policy becomes impact, and where governance is most visible,” she said.

She called for bold investments in refining, storage, and distribution infrastructure to reduce dependence on imported fuels.

According to Ms Akabogu, regional cooperation and innovation are essential to driving Africa’s energy transition. She urged governments to harmonise regulations to make cross-border trade seamless and attractive to investors.

Ms Akabogu also called for skills development, cleaner technologies, and environmental sustainability across the energy value chain.

She also urged collaboration across national borders to build an inclusive, globally competitive African energy industry.

(NAN)