The Commission has reiterated that building a competitive local content environment requires more than regulatory compliance, stressing the need for stronger collaboration, investment and capacity development to drive sustainable growth in Ghana’s petroleum industry.
This message was delivered by the Ag. Deputy CEO of the Commission, Nasir Alfa Mohammed (Esq.), when he moderated a plenary session on “Local Content and Industrial Participation in Downstream Growth” at the 7th Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCON 2026).
Moderating the session, Mr. Mohammed emphasised that local content should be viewed as a national development strategy rather than merely a regulatory obligation.
“The true measure of local content lies not only in increasing indigenous ownership but also in building competitive local enterprises, developing a highly skilled workforce, strengthening institutions and enhancing technological capabilities capable of competing across Africa and beyond,” he noted.
Mr. Mohammed further emphasised that achieving meaningful industrial transformation requires collaboration among governments, regulators, industry players, financial institutions, academia and development partners.
According to him, such partnerships are essential to improving access to finance, strengthening local supply chains, promoting technology transfer and creating an enabling environment for business growth.
He also highlighted the close relationship between investment and local content, stating that predictable policies, transparent governance and stable regulatory frameworks are critical to attracting investment while ensuring that petroleum resources generate long-term value for host economies.
The conference concluded that, maximising the benefits of Africa’s petroleum resources will require continued investment in local industries, skills development and stronger support for indigenous businesses to drive sustainable economic growth.
The conference was organised by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in collaboration with the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) and the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.
It was held under the theme “Building a Resilient Downstream: Policy, Innovation and Investment for Growth,” and brought together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and development partners to explore strategies for strengthening Africa’s downstream petroleum industry and accelerating industrialisation.