At the session on local content organised as part of African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2026, held from 12 to 16 October in Cape Town, African operators and regulators unanimously called for an acceleration in the development of local content. The panel, sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), highlighted the crucial importance of building local capacity to meet the needs of an African population expected to double by 2050.
Jorge de Morais, Managing Director of KAESO Energy Services, opened the discussions by emphasising the urgent need for action. "We need collaboration, education and the commitment of international companies. But it is also essential to recognise our priorities. By 2050, Africa's population will double. We need to empower these people and create jobs. Local content is an absolute priority," he said.
Historically, Africa, although a major producer of oil and gas, has relied heavily on foreign labour to carry out its projects. However, a dynamic of change is taking place, with a growing emphasis on local content. Nigeria, one of the continent's largest producers, stands out for its robust local content policies. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Corporate Services at the NCDMB, recalled the changing priorities: "Initially, the industry focused on achieving first oil production. Today, the aim is to maximise the benefits for local people.
For emerging countries in the energy sector, such as Senegal, the early integration of local content is a strategic priority. Mor Bakhoum, Technical Secretary of ST-CNSL Senegal, explained: "Senegal is a new player in the oil and gas sector, with first production scheduled for 2024. The question is what opportunities we can create in terms of local content. Many Senegalese are already involved in these projects.
Operators and service providers are actively responding to calls from governments to prioritise local content. Petrofac, for example, is bringing its global expertise to bear while promoting local development through engineering, procurement and training programmes. Sandy Merson, Senior Vice President of Asset Operations at Petrofac, said: "Our model is based on local execution. We want to employ local talent, strengthen supply chains and prepare the next generation to take over.
For its part, the International Human Resources Development Corporation (IHRDC) places knowledge transfer at the heart of its mission. Since the 1970s, the company has been offering cutting-edge training solutions to equip African professionals with the necessary technical and managerial skills. Bradford Donohue, CEO of IHRDC, said: "We are laying the foundations for Africans to develop their skills and thrive in a competitive industry."
In West Africa, AGL Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire are strengthening their local services through investments in logistics, training and sourcing solutions. Asta-Rosa Cisse, Regional Director for Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso at AGL, said: "AGL is committed to growing with Africa. This commitment translates into strong partnerships with local stakeholders, talent development and skills transfer."
African Energy Week 2026 highlighted the strategic importance of local content to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa. Through robust policies, public-private partnerships and investment in training, the continent is positioning itself to harness its energy resources while empowering its people. As Jorge de Morais summed up, "local content is not just a necessity, it's an opportunity to transform Africa's energy future."