NMDPRA to Establish West African Oil Trading Hub

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is intensifying efforts to establish West Africa as a regional petroleum products pricing and trading hub. Rabiu Umar, the Authority Chief Executive and Chairman of the West Africa Regulators Forum (WARF), announced this initiative while introducing the second West Africa Refined Fuel Conference, scheduled for August 11-12, 2025, in Abuja.

The conference aims to attract investments into critical infrastructure necessary for a competitive regional petroleum market. Umar highlighted that despite Africa's significant hydrocarbon production, pricing is largely determined externally, a situation that needs to change.

The conference, organized in collaboration with S&P Global Commodity Insights and WARF, will gather regulators, investors, and industry leaders to discuss financing infrastructure and logistics. Key topics will include establishing a credible African petroleum price benchmark and expanding refining capacity.

Investment opportunities identified include gas processing, petroleum storage, and pipeline networks, with regulators playing a crucial role in fostering a conducive investment environment.