Upstream Sector Reforms Unveil $16bn Investment Opportunities – NUPRC

Recent reforms in the nation’s upstream oil and gas sector has positioned Nigeria as Africa’s premier investment destination, driven by comprehensive reforms designed to reduce entry barriers, boost regulatory efficiency, and attract sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI), especially from China.

Chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr, Gbenga Komolafe, who made this known, said the recent presidential directives and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) have transformed Nigeria’s energy investment landscape, unlocking over $16 billion in opportunities since 2023.

Speaking at the Nigeria-China Sustainable Business Bilateral, Trade and Investment Summit, Komolafe said the sweeping reforms aimed at lowering entry barriers, enhancing regulatory efficiency and attracting sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI).

“These reforms are deliberate and strategic, aimed at building investor confidence, enhancing transparency, and establishing Nigeria as one of Africa’s most competitive upstream markets,” Komolafe said.

He pointed out that key executive orders—40, 41, and 42—have accelerated contract award timelines from 36 months to just six, streamlined licensing procedures, and introduced attractive fiscal incentives. These measures have positioned Nigeria ahead of many African peers in cost-efficiency and investor responsiveness.

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“With these reforms, we have removed legacy bottlenecks and provided investors with clarity and certainty. This is a clear invitation to our Chinese partners: Nigeria is ready for business,” Komolafe added.

The Commission is actively promoting investments across various segments including deep offshore exploration, frontier basins, gas commercialisation, energy infrastructure, and low-carbon technologies.

Nigeria boasts over 38 billion barrels of oil reserves and 210 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves—the largest in Africa. Currently producing about 1.5 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) and 7 billion standard cubic feet (scf) of gas daily, Nigeria aims to increase production to 3 million bpd and 12 billion scf/day in the coming years.

Achieving these ambitious targets hinges on securing capital-intensive investments from strategic partners like China. “Our investment goals are grounded in solid data, regulatory frameworks, and presidential support. These reforms will drive production growth, energy security, and sustainable economic development,” Komolafe emphasized.

He also stressed the importance of aligning bilateral partnerships with Nigeria’s local content and sustainability objectives, citing Executive Order 41 as a key framework balancing indigenous participation with foreign capital inflows.

“Our local content strategy ensures that Chinese investment partnerships thrive while complying with Nigeria’s regulations, creating a win-win environment,” he said.

Komolafe reassured stakeholders that the NUPRC’s licensing processes are fully digitised, transparent, and time-bound, facilitating easier market entry and scale-up for foreign investors.

China’s Consul General in Lagos, Van Yuqing, noted that industrialisation is vital for Africa’s development and praised Chinese companies for integrating language and vocational skills training into their business models, further strengthening Sino-African cooperation.