NNPC, Sonatrach Seal Strategic Deal to Drive Innovation in Africa’s Oil and Gas Sector
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
In a major step toward strengthening Africa’s energy future, Nigeria’s NNPC Limited has signed a landmark agreement with Algeria’s Sonatrach to deepen collaboration in research, technology, and innovation across the oil and gas industry.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Abuja, establishes a formal framework for joint research initiatives, technology exchange, and capacity development between the two national oil giants, as part of broader efforts to position Africa competitively in the evolving global energy landscape.
According to a press statement issued by NNPC Limited and signed by Andy Odeh, the agreement was executed by NNPC’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, and Sonatrach’s Managing Director, Khodjah Mohamed, during the 3rd Meeting of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization Forum for Research and Development Directors held at the PTDF Tower in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, represented by Omar Farouk Ibrahim, emphasized that the initiative forms part of a broader continental strategy to tackle challenges posed by the global energy transition.
“The R&D forum addresses technology and expertise gaps, while other initiatives such as the African Energy Bank and regional pipeline systems tackle funding and market integration challenges,” he said.
Also speaking, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by Chief Financial Officer Adedapo Segun, stressed the centrality of research and development to the future of Africa’s energy sector.
“Collaboration in research and development is of strategic importance. The cost of innovation may be high, but the cost of obsolescence would be greater,” he stated.
He called for a unified framework that enables African countries to pool resources, integrate data, and share risks, while also urging rapid adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and advanced engineering solutions.
In his remarks, APPO Secretary General, Farid Ghezali, underscored the need for research outcomes to be practical and tailored to Africa’s unique challenges.
“We must ensure that our research delivers solutions that are practical and of direct use to Africa,” he said.
Similarly, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, highlighted the partnership’s significance in advancing decarbonisation efforts and environmental sustainability across APPO member states.
Chief Innovation Officer of NNPC’s Research, Technology and Innovation Division, Rasheed Ojulari, added that the forum would prioritize joint programmes in key areas including upstream optimisation, artificial intelligence, decarbonisation processes, and industrial systems development.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in Africa’s collective push to harness innovation, strengthen energy security, and navigate the complexities of the global transition to cleaner energy systems.
