The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has inaugurated a Technical Working Group on Investment Promotion, a move designed to attract fresh capital into Nigeria’s midstream and downstream oil and gas sector.
The inaugural meeting of the Technical Working Group marks a coordinated effort by federal agencies to strengthen regulatory alignment, improve investor confidence and unlock new funding streams across the energy value chain.
The platform brings together the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority. The collaboration is aimed at harmonising regulatory frameworks, incentives and operational procedures in order to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Speaking at the meeting, the Authority Chief Executive, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, who was represented by the Acting Executive Director for Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning, Dr. Olasupo Agbaje, said the initiative is rooted in the investment-enabling provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act. He noted that the law provides clear guidelines on licensing transparency, infrastructure expansion, open access principles and market-based pricing reforms.
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According to the Authority, Nigeria’s midstream and downstream segments remain central to national energy security and industrial growth. These segments cover gas processing, pipeline transportation, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, refining, storage, distribution and retail operations. Strengthening these areas is seen as critical to deepening domestic value addition and boosting export capacity.
Discussions at the meeting addressed longstanding constraints that have slowed investment inflows. Participants examined infrastructure deficits, foreign exchange exposure risks and contractual enforcement concerns that have historically discouraged large-scale capital commitments. The Working Group also explored how free zone frameworks can be leveraged to drive export-oriented energy projects and attract international investors seeking stable regulatory environments.
By creating a unified coordination platform with key investment and free zone agencies, NMDPRA signalled a shift toward structured inter-agency cooperation. Industry analysts say this approach could improve policy clarity, reduce regulatory overlap and position Nigeria as a more competitive destination for petroleum infrastructure investment.
The inauguration of the Technical Working Group comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to maximise the benefits of the Petroleum Industry Act and stimulate growth across its oil and gas value chain. If sustained, the initiative is expected to enhance investor confidence, accelerate project development and strengthen Nigeria’s standing in the global energy market.
