Ghana and Uganda Strengthen Petroleum Sector Ties Through Regulatory Peer-Learning Engagement

Ghana and Uganda have solidified their partnership in the upstream petroleum sector through a high-level peer-learning initiative designed to enhance regulatory capacity and resource management. Hosted by the Petroleum Commission of Ghana, the engagement brought together the Board of Directors of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda to share critical insights into petroleum governance and operational experiences. This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment as Uganda prepares for its first commercial oil production, seeking to leverage Ghana’s established regulatory framework and lessons learned from its years of production.

Ms. Emeafa Hardcastle, CEO of Ghana's Petroleum Commission, and Board Chairman Ernest Thompson led the discussions, emphasizing that intra-African cooperation is vital for effective resource management and ensuring that citizens remain the primary beneficiaries of the sector. The dialogue focused heavily on local content development, with both nations exploring strategies to increase indigenous participation in the petroleum value chain. Technical presentations also covered legal frameworks, investment attraction strategies, and the implementation of rigorous health, safety, and environmental standards.

The Ugandan delegation, led by Prof. Vincent Bagire, expressed a keen interest in Ghana’s exploration efforts, including activities in the Voltaian Basin, as a roadmap for their own upstream development. Beyond technical specifics, the meeting addressed the shared challenges of navigating the complexities of the global energy market and the energy transition. Both nations concluded the engagement with a commitment to establish a more formal, sustained knowledge-sharing arrangement, ensuring that their regulatory bodies can continue to exchange data and best practices as they advance their respective oil and gas sectors.