Algeria remains steadfast in its support of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and its objectives aimed at empowering Africa to effectively and equitably exploit its natural resources. This commitment was underscored by the Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, during the 48th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Council held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Minister Arkab emphasized the importance of activating continental cooperation projects, particularly the African Energy Bank. He also advocated for supporting joint financing initiatives for energy infrastructure projects across Africa.
Minister Arkab further called for the continued reform of the organization, emphasizing good governance and transparency in management. He expressed confidence in the new Secretary-General’s ability to lead a new phase of development and integration within APPO.
The Minister of State participated in the signing ceremony of the “Brazzaville Agreement on the Development of Local Content in the Petroleum and Gas Industry in Africa.” This agreement, adopted by the ministers of APPO member states, embodies a collective commitment to enhance the participation of national expertise and institutions in energy value chains.
The Brazzaville Agreement aims to develop effective mechanisms for measuring and evaluating local content policies in member states. It also seeks to empower African suppliers to provide high-quality goods and services to the petroleum and gas industry, facilitate access to finance, technology, and expertise for local businesses, promote knowledge transfer and human capacity building in Africa, and support partnerships between international and local companies based on a win-win approach. The agreement is a call to action for joint African efforts, in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity, to build a strong and integrated African petroleum and gas industry that contributes to the prosperity of the continent’s people.
During the closing session of the Council, Farid Ghazali of Algeria was elected as the new Secretary-General of APPO by a majority vote of member states. This election is a well-deserved culmination of a distinguished career spanning over 33 years in the energy and hydrocarbon sector.
