Uganda, Ghana Deepen Cooperation on Petroleum Regulation

What the report says

Uganda and Ghana are expanding cooperation on upstream petroleum governance, with both sides using peer learning to compare regulatory approaches, operations and local content development. The engagement brought together the Board of Directors of Uganda’s Petroleum Authority (PAU) and Ghana’s Petroleum Commission in Accra, according to Nile Post.

The Ugandan delegation said it wanted to draw on Ghana’s experience as Uganda moves closer to first oil and prepares for the shift from development to production. PAU board member Innocent Kihika said the visit was intended to build a longer-term relationship and to help Uganda strengthen its regulatory systems by learning from countries that have already gone through exploration, development and production.

Ghana’s Petroleum Commission shared its experience on legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, upstream operations, local content, and health, safety and environmental management. The two institutions also discussed practical challenges in managing petroleum resources. Ghana, the report said, is also looking at onshore oil and gas opportunities, including in the Voltaian Basin.

The discussions were significant because they linked two countries at different stages of petroleum development: Uganda seeking guidance before production begins, and Ghana showing interest in Uganda’s approach to onshore resource management, community engagement and environmental safeguards. Both sides agreed to continue cooperation and knowledge-sharing on petroleum governance and operations.