KEY POINTS
- NUPRC is inviting global investors to participate in Nigeria’s 2025 licensing round offering 50 oil and gas blocks.
- The PIA 2021 reforms are said to have created a more transparent and investor-friendly regulatory environment.
- Africa’s share of global energy investment is rising, supported by regional cooperation, domestic capital growth, and stronger investor interest.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has urged international investors to take advantage of opportunities in Nigeria’s forthcoming 2025 petroleum licensing round.
Speaking at the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) 2026 in Lagos, NUPRC Chief Executive Officer, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said recent reforms introduced through the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 have created a stable, transparent, and predictable framework for upstream oil and gas investment.
According to her, the new licensing round is structured to unlock Nigeria’s upstream potential while offering investors a clearer regulatory environment that supports long-term planning and project viability.
50 Blocks Offered to Attract Credible Investors
Eyesan revealed that the 2025 round will feature 50 oil and gas blocks spread across multiple terrains. She described the initiative as a strategic effort to promote responsible resource development while drawing serious and technically capable investors into the sector.
She noted that Nigeria is positioning itself to benefit from renewed global interest in Africa’s hydrocarbon resources, emphasizing that the country aims to attract partners capable of driving sustainable exploration and production.
The NUPRC chief said Africa’s investment outlook has strengthened significantly in recent years. Out of the projected $520 billion global capital expenditure in the energy sector this year, the continent is expected to secure $48–$50 billion, accounting for more than 8 percent, double its share from previous years when it attracted less than 4 percent.
She attributed this growth to rising investor interest in both emerging and established hydrocarbon basins across countries such as Nigeria, Namibia, and Mozambique.
