Kenya to host its first local content conference in the oil and gas industry

Nairobi will next month host the first conference and exhibition that seeks to stir debate on local content in the upstream oil and gas industry in the Eastern Africa region.

Organised by Oil and Energy Services, the Oil and Energy Services Local Content Convention the event will bring together over 400 local, regional and international industry participants to discuss ways of developing the capabilities and competitiveness of indigenous businesses and workforce in the sector.

“It’s a very exciting time for the local industry and we are looking forward to the exchange of new and fresh ideas that will enable the country to harness the many opportunities that abound. Ultimately, the real benefits of an upstream oil and gas sector are realised through the creation of business opportunities and jobs for citizens of the region through accelerated transfer of skills and technologies,” Oil and Energy Services Chief Executive Officer Mwendia Nyaga said.

Mr Nyaga adds that through focus on capacity building for local businesses to participate in the upstream supply chain that the people of Eastern Africa can realise the gains from the unfolding industry. Mwendia said that the main objective of the event is to encourage dialogue, and best practice sharing that will be critical in shaping the local content landscape in Kenya and the region.

“There are many countries where this has been done right and it is important that the government and the industry work together to put in place structures that will foster growth of local content in the industry. This multi-stakeholder collaboration is important,” said Mwendia.

Besides providing an opportunity for those present to network, the event will also be a platform for a select group of 35 companies to exhibit their products and services.

The convention comes at a time when the region is on the global map owing to the enormous interest that the oil and gas discoveries in the Eastern Africa region have generated. In the last three years alone, there have been more conventional oil and gas discoveries in the region than anywhere else in the world.

For these resources to deliver sustainable and significant value to all, there is need to ensure the development of a more inclusive industry. The participation of the government, oil companies, local communities and contractors is therefore crucial for the development of a successful local content strategy.

“We recognise the importance of close collaboration amongst key stakeholders and have therefore invited representatives from all these groups in order to strengthen conversations between the local industry, the government and the international counterparts to ensure the growth of a sustainable oil and gas industry,” Mr Nyaga added.

To ensure common goals, standards and collaboration for the industry across the region, the convention will also play host to policy makers from the East African Community who are keen to develop policies that will achieve the desired goals for their economies.

The OES LCC has been endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum – Kenya National Oil Corporation of Kenya, Oil and Gas Contractors Association of Kenya, Kenya Oil and Gas Association, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, UK Trade and Investment and the Delegation of Germany Industry and Commerce in Kenya (AHK), among others.

The three day event is slated for 25th to 27th June 2014.