IEA Praises NUPRC’s Regulatory Reforms, Pushes for Deeper Collaboration on Energy Transition
By: NaijaEnquirer Staff
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has commended the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for embedding decarbonisation requirements into upstream project approvals, highlighting the alignment of the Commission’s green strategies in Field Development Plans (FDPs) with global expectations for low-carbon investments.
Rita Maderia, IEA Africa Programme Manager, made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the NUPRC, aimed at enhancing strategic collaboration on data integrity, energy transition, investment climate, and upstream sector governance.
Gas Development Vital to Africa’s Energy Access
The IEA stressed that Nigeria’s gas resources are pivotal for addressing Africa’s energy access gap, noting that nearly 600 million people on the continent lack electricity. Maderia emphasized that even full development of Africa’s identified gas reserves would increase global emissions by only 0.5%, highlighting the continent’s minimal climate impact and right to energy development.
Strengthening Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
During the visit, the IEA expressed readiness to:
- Provide Nigeria access to select market intelligence products, including the Monthly Oil Market Report
- Host joint workshops on gas monetisation and Africa’s energy transition
- Expand technical-level data exchanges with NUPRC experts
- Support Nigeria’s participation in high-level international energy forums
NUPRC Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Regulation
Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparent regulation, investor confidence, and sustainable development in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Komolafe emphasized that NUPRC will maintain an open-door policy to foster continuous engagement with the IEA and other development partners, positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s energy transition and upstream investment growth.
