The Director-General of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Baluwa Koroma, has urged African oil and gas regulators, traders, producers, and stakeholders to work collectively towards a harmonized and integrated energy market that transcends national boundaries. His call came during the 19th Africa Downstream Energy Week 2025 held in Lagos, Nigeria, on 27th October 2025, under the theme “Africa Oil & Gas Market and Regional Regulatory Integration.”
Mr. Koroma emphasized the urgent need for Africa to accelerate efforts toward establishing a robust regional regulatory framework that will promote efficiency, market transparency, and accessibility in the petroleum sector. He lamented that despite Africa’s vast hydrocarbon potential, the region still imports over 70% of refined petroleum products an alarming statistic that continues to weigh heavily on national economies. He noted that fuel costs account for over 40% of national import bills in some ECOWAS countries, placing undue strain on governments and citizens alike.
Highlighting persistent challenges such as price volatility, supply chain inefficiencies, and disparities in fuel quality, the NPRA Boss asserted that “Regional Regulatory Integration must no longer be a dream, but a common destination with a fundamentally new development approach.”
Mr. Koroma further stated that the fragmentation of laws, standards, licensing systems, and tax regimes across African states undermines collective leverage and deters investment. He explained that these inconsistencies create unfair competition, regulatory arbitrage, and cross-border variations in fuel pricing and quality.
He stressed that regional integration should not be mistaken for surrendering national sovereignty. “Regional Regulatory Integration,” he said, “is not about giving up control; it is about increasing our collective control over our markets, our shared destiny, and the way we serve our citizens—while preserving our African values.”
Addressing the continent’s changing demographics, Mr. Koroma pointed out that Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, is experiencing one of the fastest population shifts in the world. He urged regulators to develop adaptive and decisive strategies that reflect Africa’s realities and priorities. “Africa must make decisions that help Africa,” he stated firmly.
The NPRA Director-General also highlighted the continent’s vast potential as the world’s largest trade area, encompassing 55 countries under the African Union and eight Regional Economic Communities. With a population of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of approximately USD 3.4 trillion, Mr. Koroma said Africa’s integration is both a necessity and an opportunity. “As regulators, we must remain united in thought and strategy,” he stressed.
He further noted that a unified regulatory framework would enhance Africa’s bargaining power, foster price transparency, stabilize markets, boost economies of scale, and reduce costs for consumers and industries. Achieving this, he said, would require “policy harmonization, joint infrastructure development, regulatory alignment, and above all, political will.”
Concluding his address, Mr. Koroma underscored that Africa’s downstream energy landscape is constantly evolving, and therefore, any regional approach must remain flexible to adapt to the unique circumstances of individual jurisdictions.
Credited: NPRA Media and Public Relations Department
