Nigeria is seeking to attract more than 100 Chinese oil and gas equipment manufacturers to establish production facilities in the country as it looks to expand local manufacturing, promote technology transfer and strengthen domestic supply chains.
The push is being led by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which recently engaged more than 100 Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in Chengdu, China.
The engagement took place during the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit, held from September 20 to 23, 2026. It provided an opportunity for Nigerian officials and industry stakeholders to highlight investment opportunities in local manufacturing, technology and oil and gas services.
Austin Uzoka, Director of Project Certification and Authorization Division (PCAD) and Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, said Nigeria wants to move beyond simply importing equipment from China towards deeper investment and manufacturing partnerships.
“We are looking beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. What can we build together? We want Chinese companies to see Nigeria not simply as a market for their products, but as a strategic investment destination, a platform for manufacturing and technology development, and a gateway to opportunities across the wider African market,” he said.
Uzoka also highlighted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS), which provides a platform for Chinese manufacturers to establish production, assembly and servicing operations in Nigeria.
According to him, such partnerships could support technology transfer while also helping Nigerian businesses become part of international supply chains.
“China has developed tremendous capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure. We want to explore how those capabilities can be connected with the opportunities that exist in Nigeria, for mutual benefits” he added.
He explained that Nigeria’s local content policy has expanded from simply increasing Nigerian participation in oil and gas projects to developing manufacturing capacity, promoting technology ownership and improving the competitiveness of local businesses.
“Nigeria’s local content journey has evolved significantly since the Local Content Law was enacted in year 2010. What began primarily as an effort to increase Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry has developed into a broader industrial development agenda focused on building capabilities, deepening manufacturing, promoting technology ownership and positioning Nigerian businesses to compete within regional and global markets,” he observed.
The summit also featured a business-to-business session organised by the NCDMB, bringing together more than 100 Chinese equipment manufacturers and Nigerian oil and gas stakeholders.
The discussions focused on opportunities for local production, supply-chain integration, investment, technology development and access to new markets.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas industry by increasing domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imported equipment.
