The second day of the 2025 Local Content Conference and Exhibition underway in Takoradi focused on innovation, technology, and sustainable growth within Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry. The conversations throughout the day reflected a shared sense of urgency among participants to reposition the sector for competitiveness, investment, and inclusive development.
The day began with two high-level panel sessions centered on “Driving Innovation for a Competitive Energy Economy.” Speakers drawn from across the energy value chain shared insights on the evolving dynamics of exploration and production and how Ghana can leverage technology and local capacity to attract investment and improve efficiency.
Industry leaders underscored the importance of datadriven decision-making and strategic partnerships as key enablers of growth.
Participants underscored that innovation must go beyond technology to include new business models, smarter financing approaches, and stronger collaboration between regulators, operators, and local service providers. The afternoon transitioned into a series of breakout sessions on finance, investment, and growth, held simultaneously at the Tweneboa, Sankofa, and Gye Nyame rooms.
Discussions were practical focusing on how Ghanaian companies can scale up, access funding, and participate meaningfully in upcoming exploration and production
opportunities. Speaker after Speaker emphasised that sustainable local content growth requires not only an enabling policy environment but also deliberate investment in skills, research, and indigenous enterprise.
“Research and innovation are key pillars in the growth of every thriving oil and gas industry and I believe Ghana must be deliberate in these areas” said Tony Paul, an Energy Policy and Strategy Advisor fromTrinidad and Tobago.
Financial institutions present at the sessions reaffirmed their readiness to support viable projects in the oil and gas value chain, provided that governance and transparency standards remain strong.
Participants also explored opportunities to integrate the upstream sector more closely with Ghana’s broader energy transition agenda. The consensus was that revitalising exploration and production should go hand in hand with low-carbon development, renewable energy investment, and regional cooperation.
The atmosphere throughout the day was one of optimism and forward thinking. Exhibitors continued to showcase technologies and innovative solutions developed by Ghanaian and international companies, highlighting the growing capability within the local supply chain.
As the conference entered its second day, it was clear that the focus had shifted from diagnosing thechallenges of the sector to mapping concrete pathways for renewal. The emphasis on innovation, financing, and partnership signals a strong commitment from industry stakeholders to reposition Ghana’s upstream petroleum space as a driver of growth, opportunity, and resilience in the years ahead.
The conference enters its third and final day tomorrow with sessions dedicated to procurement opportunities within the upstream petroleum space.
Day Two of 2025 LCCE Underscores Innovation and Growth within Ghana’s Upstream Petroleum Space
