The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has called for stronger alignment of infrastructure, policies and capital across Africa to achieve lasting energy security.
Ojulari made the call during a fireside chat with Mr. Andy Brown, Deputy Chair of Ørsted and President of the Energy Institute, at the 2026 International Energy Week (IEW) in London on Wednesday.
He identified shared infrastructure, policy harmonisation, coordinated investment frameworks, cross-border knowledge and technology exchange, integrated gas market development and sustained regional diplomacy among National Oil Companies (NOCs) as critical pillars for securing the continent’s energy future.
Speaking on the need to expand cross-border energy infrastructure, Ojulari said NNPC Ltd’s ongoing regional gas initiatives demonstrate how shared assets can enhance scale, efficiency and resilience. He highlighted the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline and the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline as flagship projects that should be fast-tracked to strengthen regional integration and promote cross-border energy trade.
According to him, Africa must work towards aligned pricing frameworks, transit protocols, local content standards and joint technical regulations to reduce investment bottlenecks and protect shared infrastructure. He noted that reforms such as Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provide useful lessons in improving regulatory clarity and investor confidence.
Ojulari also advocated for structured joint investment platforms among African NOCs, arguing that collective action would enable the continent to attract and deploy capital more effectively than isolated national efforts.
On NNPC Ltd’s plans to increase oil output, expand gas production and attract more investment, he said success would depend on a pragmatic, Africa-focused strategy that positions energy as a driver of economic growth while supporting global climate goals.
“Our pathway is clear: grow production responsibly, scale gas as the backbone of Africa’s industrialisation, strengthen environmental accountability, and align with global decarbonisation objectives, while ensuring that Africans are not left behind in the energy transition,” he said.
The International Energy Week is a global energy leadership platform that brings together policymakers, industry executives, investors, regulators and technology experts to shape discussions on energy security, transition strategies, capital formation and sustainability.
