Stakeholders at the ninth Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) in Lagos, have emphasised the need for enhanced collaboration in local content development to drive industrialisation, economic growth, and sustainability in the region’s oil and gas sector.
  
This is coming amidst global disruption fueled by the move towards sustainable energy to address climate challenges. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) said at the event that a unified regional approach is crucial for fostering local content. 

Speaking on the topic: ‘Sub-Saharan Africa Local Content Collaboration Strategy’, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, stressed the importance of stakeholder participation in advancing local content development. 
  
He called on governments to create an enabling environment by implementing policies that encourage regional integration and indigenous business growth.  Ogbe also urged regulators to establish mechanisms for mutual recognition of standards and certifications, while industry players should adopt strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. 
  
The ES equally emphasised that financial institutions must develop tailored solutions to support indigenous participation in large-scale projects, and academia must collaborate with the industry on research, innovation, and skills development.
  
Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Wole Ogunsanya, stressed the importance of increasing indigenous participation in oil projects.