As Africa's energy sector expands, local content policies are crucial for job creation and value retention. Senegal and Mauritania are preparing to solidify their position as major hydrocarbons hubs in West Africa, with the aim of achieving a 50 per cent local content ratio by 2030.

Mauritanian authorities are crafting a new local content law, while Nigeria's Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act prioritises Nigerian products, services, and employment.

Namibia's National Upstream Local Content Policy aims to reduce dependence on foreign expertise and focus on local capacity development.

Angolan service company ASSEA launched an initiative to increase local capacity in the oil and gas sector to 20 per cent, aiming to direct foreign investment to focus on local content.

Ghana's energy sector is benefiting from robust local content initiatives, such as the Local Content and Local Participation Regulations, which mandate a minimum 10 per cent equity for Ghanian companies in all projects and establish employment targets for nationals.

Local content policies address unique challenges in the African energy sector, such as a capital-intensive financing model, lack of modern technologies, and reliance on high-risk investments.

By ensuring clear and enforceable local content requirements, these policies attract responsible investment and foster trust and cooperation.