WARF | West Africa Regulators Forum

Our forum is to empower oil and gas regulators across West Africa by providing a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. We believe that by working together, we can enhance regulatory practices and promote sustainable development in the region and the world.

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S&P GLOBAL INSIGHTS

2026 NMDPRA-S&P Global Conference

Engagement is confirmed for the 2026 conference themed "Funding West Africa Infrastructure & Distribution to Create a Transparent Market for Regional Price Benchmarks."

Core Participation

S&P Global Energy / Platts participation.
Credible price discovery and benchmark development support.
Improved regional market transparency.

Ratings Involvement

Technical presentation on creditworthiness and infrastructure finance.
High-level investment roundtable alongside the conference.
Potential participation of around 25 pan-African banks and institutions.

Strategic Impact

Supports bankable midstream and downstream infrastructure.
Strengthens transparent regional price benchmarks.
Reinforces Nigeria's convening leadership and aligns with investment, financing, transparency and institutional credibility priorities.

WHY WARF?

A regulators-only coordination institution that strengthens regional energy market efficiency without encroaching on national sovereignty.

WARF is a professional coordination platform of national oil and gas regulators in West Africa, working closely with regulatory bodies globally.

Key Messages

WARF addresses regulatory fragmentation.
Confidential peer engagement supports candid alignment.
Cross-border trade efficiency and market transparency are central priorities.

What WARF Does

Aligns minimum regulatory standards and specifications.
Coordinates market transparency and pricing approaches.
Supports cross-border energy trade readiness and capacity building.

What WARF Does Not Do

Does not set national policy.
Does not regulate companies.
Does not replace ministries or governments.

Membership is restricted exclusively to legally constituted national oil and gas regulators. This preserves regulatory independence, avoids capture, and reflects international best practice.

Governments and partners engage through structured, non-decision-making channels, while regulatory decisions remain the sole preserve of member regulators.

ABOUT WARF

Knowledge Sharing

A platform for regulators to exchange insights, research, and regional market data.

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Regulatory Collaboration

Joint standards, peer learning, and coordinated regulatory practices.

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Sustainable Development

Promoting responsible investment and energy transition outcomes.

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Trade Efficiency

Reducing barriers and enabling secure, reliable regional supply.

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SECRETARIAT UPDATE

Ag. Secretary General of WARF Prof. Zainab Gobir

WARF was established in July 2025 with a clear purpose: to empower oil and gas regulators across West Africa by providing a structured forum for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and coordinated regulatory action.

Since its establishment, WARF has adopted a framework for quarterly regional progress reporting, outlining milestones achieved, challenges encountered, and corrective actions taken.

CONTACT SECRETARIAT

+234 802 840 5281

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WARF FAQ

1 - Why was WARF established?

WARF was created in July 2025 to empower oil and gas regulators across West Africa through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and coordinated regulatory action.

2 - How does WARF track progress?

Through quarterly regional progress reporting that highlights milestones achieved, challenges encountered, and corrective actions taken.

3 - What are the roadmap priorities?

Addressing intra-African trade challenges, infrastructure gaps, tariffs, exchange rate instability, and harmonised product specifications.

4 - What is the 2025 communique?

A shared commitment to implement the roadmap, coordinate regional agreements, and improve trade efficiency across member states.

5 - How can members contribute?

By sharing data, participating in quarterly reviews, and aligning national actions with the regional roadmap and communique.

RegionalCommitment

REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE

Governance, Communique Delivery & Regional Collaboration

WARF has transitioned from concept to execution with formal governance structures, secretariat launch, roadmap implementation, and coordinated regional engagement.

Q1 Achievements

Formal establishment of WARF with regular virtual coordination meetings.
Draft WARF Charter and governance framework defining mandate, accountability and structure.
Permanent secretariat established in Abuja at the World Trade Center.

2025 Communique Delivery

Milestone-based implementation and monitoring of roadmap commitments.
Structured mechanisms for dispute management and conflict resolution.
WARF ERP deployment planning via GAGE for compliance and real-time reporting.

Regional Collaboration

Harmonisation across upstream, midstream and downstream regulation.
Strategic engagements including Port Authority of Houston and market-access discussions.
Advancing a Lekki-anchored refined fuels reference market for regional price benchmarks.

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CONTACT SECRETARIAT

* Quarterly reporting ensures transparency and accountability.

Send us an email

info@westafricaregulatorsforum.org contactus@westafricaregulatorsforum.org

Share Your Organisation Details

Provide your organisation profile to support collaboration and regional coordination.

FORUM UPDATES

Latest Communiques

31 Jan 2026 | WARF Secretariat

West African Regulators Formally Establish Oil and Gas Coordination Forum

WARF is formally established as a regional coordination platform for national oil and gas regulatory authorities in West Africa, with a mandate focused on regulatory coherence, market transparency, and cross-border trade.

10 Feb 2026 | WARF Secretariat

2026 Roadmap: Implementation Priorities for West Africa's Refined Products Market

The roadmap prioritizes refining capacity, logistics infrastructure, regulatory alignment, and transparent pricing benchmarks to strengthen regional trade and market resilience.