Nigeria’s NNPC Limited and Algeria’s Sonatrach have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen research, technology development and innovation across Africa’s oil and gas sector—an agreement expected to accelerate AI adoption, decarbonisation efforts and industrial competitiveness on the continent.
The MoU, executed through NNPC’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Division in collaboration with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, establishes a formal framework for joint research, technology exchange and capacity development between the two national oil companies.
Signed in Abuja by NNPC’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, and Sonatrach’s Managing Director, Khodjah Mohamed, the agreement is positioned to deliver practical, industry-relevant solutions across the oil and gas value chain.
Key focus areas include:
- Artificial Intelligence and digital oilfield solutions
- Upstream optimisation and efficiency
- Decarbonisation and environmental sustainability
- Industrial systems and engineering innovation
Industry stakeholders say the partnership could help reduce technology dependence, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen Africa’s position in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 3rd Meeting of the R&D Directors Forum of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization, held at the PTDF Tower in Abuja.
Representing Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, former APPO Secretary General Omar Farouk Ibrahim noted that the continent’s energy transition challenges are centered on funding, technology and market access.
He outlined key continental initiatives:
- R&D Forum → addressing technology and expertise gaps
- African Energy Bank → tackling financing constraints
- Central African Pipeline System → enabling regional market integration
Speaking at the event, Group CEO of NNPC Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by CFO Adedapo Segun, emphasized that research and development must sit at the core of Africa’s oil and gas strategy.
“The cost of innovation might be high, but the cost of obsolescence would be greater,” he said.
He called for:
- A unified continental R&D framework
- Shared data and pooled resources
- Faster adoption of AI and advanced engineering technologies
- Focus on Practical, Africa-Centric Solutions
APPO Secretary General Farid Ghezali stressed the need for research outputs to deliver tangible, real-world impact.
“We must ensure that our research delivers solutions that are practical and of direct use to Africa,” he said.
Executive Secretary of PTDF, Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, highlighted the role of the partnership in advancing decarbonisation and environmental protection initiatives across APPO member countries.
Chief Innovation Officer of NNPC RTI and incoming Chairman of the APPO R&D Directors Forum, Rasheed Ojulari, said immediate priorities will include; Joint AI-driven energy solutions, Decarbonisation technologies, Upstream and downstream system optimisation, Industrial research collaboration and Strategic Significance for Africa’s Energy Future.
Analysts note that the NNPC–Sonatrach partnership signals a shift toward homegrown innovation and regional collaboration, at a time when African producers face increasing pressure to balance energy security with global decarbonisation goals.
By aligning research efforts and sharing technological capabilities, the agreement is expected to; Improve efficiency across oil and gas operations, Strengthen Africa’s bargaining power in global energy markets and Accelerate the transition to cleaner and smarter energy systems
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