The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has emphasized that accelerated delivery of major regional projects including the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline is essential to strengthening regional integration and advancing cross-border energy trade across Africa. Speaking during a fireside chat with Andy Brown, Deputy Chair of Ørsted and President of the Energy Institute, at the 2026 International Energy Week in London, Ojulari outlined a comprehensive vision for securing Africa’s energy future through shared infrastructure, policy alignment, coordinated investment frameworks, cross-border knowledge exchange, integrated gas market development, and sustained regional diplomacy among National Oil Companies.
The NNPC boss stressed that the continent must move towards aligned pricing frameworks, transit protocols, local content standards, and joint technical regulations, drawing lessons from reforms such as Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act to reduce investment friction, safeguard cross-border infrastructure, and ensure equitable access to shared energy assets. Ojulari called for structured joint investment platforms among African NOCs, arguing that Africa can attract and deploy capital more effectively when acting collectively rather than individually.
On NNPC Limited’s ambition to raise oil output, expand gas production, and attract investment, Ojulari said delivery will require a pragmatic, Africa-centric strategy that positions energy as both a catalyst for economic development and a contributor to global climate goals. He affirmed that the pathway is clear: grow production responsibly, scale gas as the backbone of Africa’s industrialization, strengthen environmental accountability, and align with global decarbonization objectives while ensuring that Africans are not left behind in the energy transition.
Source: championnews.com.ng