The Petroleum Commission (PC) of Ghana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia to strengthen bilateral cooperation and deepen collaboration in the regulation and development of the upstream petroleum sector.
The agreement, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission of Ghana, Emeafa Hardcastle, on behalf of Ghana, marks a significant milestone in efforts to enhance regional cooperation and knowledge sharing within Africa’s oil and gas industry. The MoU is expected to promote stronger institutional collaboration, technical capacity building and the exchange of regulatory best practices between the two countries.
The partnership provides a formal framework for both institutions to work together in developing effective regulatory systems that support the sustainable exploration and production of petroleum resources while promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.
Under the agreement, the two petroleum regulators will collaborate in key areas including petroleum regulation, licensing and acreage management, governance, local content development, procurement, stakeholder engagement, environmental and social management, as well as institutional capacity building. They will also facilitate staff exchanges, joint technical programmes, training initiatives and the sharing of expertise to strengthen their respective institutions.
Speaking after the signing ceremony in Banjul, the Petroleum Commission noted that the MoU reflects the shared commitment of Ghana and The Gambia to learning from one another and building resilient institutions capable of supporting the sustainable growth of their upstream petroleum industries.
The Commission emphasised that the agreement comes at a time when African petroleum-producing countries are increasingly seeking home-grown solutions and stronger regional partnerships to maximise the benefits of their natural resources amid the evolving global energy landscape and the ongoing energy transition.
It said the collaboration would enable both countries to leverage their collective knowledge and experience in strengthening petroleum governance, improving regulatory efficiency and attracting responsible investments into their upstream sectors.
According to the Commission, the partnership also demonstrates the growing importance of South-South cooperation in Africa’s extractive industries, where countries with more established petroleum sectors can support emerging producers through knowledge transfer, technical assistance and institutional development.
The Commission further emphasized that meaningful collaboration among African regulators has the potential to drive innovation, strengthen institutions and create lasting economic value for citizens by ensuring that petroleum resources are managed responsibly and sustainably.
The Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines of The Gambia welcomed the partnership, describing it as an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing the capacity of both countries to effectively regulate and develop their petroleum resources.
The MoU is expected to foster closer engagement between the two institutions through regular consultations, collaborative projects and the exchange of information on emerging trends and best practices in the upstream petroleum industry.
The Petroleum Commission reaffirmed its commitment to deepening regional cooperation and supporting the development of a resilient and competitive African petroleum sector, noting that partnerships such as the one with The Gambia will contribute to stronger institutions, improved governance and sustainable economic development across the continent.
By: Christian Kpesese
