The agreement establishes a structured framework for sustained cooperation between both national oil companies in areas such as research exchange, joint innovation projects, and technology development. It was signed by NNPC Limited’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, and Sonatrach’s Managing Director, Khodjah Mohamed, signalling a renewed commitment to cross-border collaboration in Africa’s energy sector.
The signing ceremony formed part of the opening events of the 3rd Meeting of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) Forum for Research and Development Directors, hosted at the PTDF Tower in Abuja. The gathering brought together R&D leaders from member countries of African Petroleum Producers' Organization, with a shared focus on strengthening the continent’s response to evolving global energy challenges.
Speaking at the forum, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri—represented by former APPO Secretary General Omar Farouk Ibrahim—emphasised that the initiative aligns with APPO’s broader strategy to address structural challenges arising from the global energy transition. These include financing constraints, technological gaps, and limited market integration.
He explained that APPO’s response framework rests on four key interventions: the R&D Forum to bridge technology and expertise gaps, the African Energy Bank to address funding shortfalls, and the Central African Pipeline System to support regional market connectivity, alongside broader policy coordination mechanisms.
Reinforcing the importance of innovation in the sector, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari—represented by Chief Financial Officer Adedapo Segun—stressed that research and development must be central to Africa’s oil and gas competitiveness. He noted that while innovation is capital-intensive, the consequences of technological stagnation are far more costly in the long run.
He further advocated for a unified continental strategy that enables shared resources, integrated data systems, and collective risk management among African petroleum-producing nations. According to him, accelerated adoption of digital tools, artificial intelligence, and advanced engineering solutions is essential to improving efficiency across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.
APPO Secretary General Farid Ghezali also underscored the need for African-focused innovation outcomes, urging that research efforts must translate into practical, implementable solutions tailored to the continent’s specific energy realities.
In a related address, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Prof. Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, highlighted the importance of the NNPC–PTDF partnership in advancing decarbonisation efforts and strengthening environmental sustainability initiatives across member states.
Meanwhile, the Chief Innovation Officer of NNPC RTI and incoming Chairman of the APPO R&D Directors Forum, Rasheed Ojulari, outlined priority areas for joint action. These include upstream optimisation, artificial intelligence applications, decarbonisation technologies, and the development of resilient industrial systems designed to support long-term energy security and competitiveness across Africa.
The agreement and accompanying discussions reflect a growing consensus among African oil producers that collaboration, innovation, and technology-driven strategies will be critical in navigating the complexities of the global energy transition while safeguarding the continent’s energy future.