Oppong seeks digital, policy alignment for improved Africa’s oil growth
Abuja, April 2026 (TBL Africa) Dr Riverson Oppong, Africa Regional Director, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) International, has called for stronger alignment of digital technology, capital and policy framework to achieve sustainable oil growth in Africa.
Oppong made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the 26th SPE Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF).
He commended the SPE Nigeria Council for sustaining a platform that bridges policy, practice and progress in the industry.
The Oloibiri is the site of Nigeria’s first commercial oil discovery in 1956.
Oppong described the site as a symbol of the nation’s energy journey, noting that the focus must now shift from discovery to optimisation, resilience and long-term value creation.
Speaking on the theme, “Beyond the Three Million Barrels Target: Harmonising Digitalisation, Capital, and Policy Frameworks”, he said achieving production goals required intelligent asset management rather than volume-driven ambitions.
According to him, the era of “easy oil” is over, and current realities demand advanced tools, deeper thinking and improved coordination across technology, finance and governance.
He said that data had become as valuable as hydrocarbon resources, with technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins and predictive analytics enhancing efficiency, safety and profitability.
“The 2026 OLEF theme speaks directly to the realities of our current oil and gas sector in Africa.
“It challenges us to move beyond volume-driven ambitions and embrace a more integrated and disciplined approach to energy development.
“The three million barrels per day target is an important benchmark, but the path to achieving and sustaining it lies in how intelligently we manage our assets.
“The era of easy oil is behind us. What remains requires deeper thinking, better tools, and stronger coordination between technology, finance and governance,” he said.
Oppong, however, said that digital transformation goes beyond technology, emphasising the need for structured financing that recognises digital investments as value-enhancing rather than optional costs.
He urged Nigeria and other African countries to position energy projects as efficient, low-risk and investment-friendly to attract global capital.
The SPE official also called for reforms in regulatory and fiscal frameworks to accommodate digital investments and recognise data as a strategic national asset.
He said that the 2026 SPE Africa Technology Conference would hold from June 16 to June 18 in Abidjan, focusing on digitalisation, operational efficiency and investment strategies.
Oppong emphasised the importance of youth development, adding that the organisation is investing in training programmes, including petroleum data science and engineering analytics, to equip professionals for a data-driven industry.
He reaffirmed SPE’s commitment to engaging governments and institutions to support policy development and innovation in the energy sector.
Earlier, Mr Francis Nwaochei, Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, urged stakeholders to adopt practical solutions to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for sustainability and competitiveness.
“The industry is at a critical inflection point where profitability requires greater discipline, innovation and efficiency amid shifting global energy dynamics and stiff competition for investment.
“We are operating in an environment where oil profits are achieved with increased effort, discipline and innovation.
“However, within these challenges lies an opportunity to unlock new value from existing assets through digital innovation, disciplined financing and adaptive regulatory frameworks,” he said.
Nwaochei said that the forum was designed to move beyond discussions to actionable outcomes that would shape Nigeria’s energy future.
He said that it would produce a joint action plan involving key stakeholders to influence policy, guide investments and drive operational excellence.
