The Secretary General of African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Farid Ghezali, has commended the innovation capacity of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), describing its facilities as a strong reflection of Africa’s untapped industrial potential.
Ghezali made the remarks on April 21, 2026, during an inspection of the NASENI Centre of Excellence and Innovation Hub in Abuja, held to mark the World Creativity and Innovation Day. He said the level of technological advancement and engineering capabilities observed at the facility was “commendable and a source of pride for Africa.”
He stressed that Africa’s development trajectory must be driven by a continental mindset, urging governments and stakeholders to prioritise local participation in major projects. According to him, adopting a “Think Africa First” strategy is critical to ensuring that investments across energy and industrial sectors translate into real value for African economies.
“Africa must design and execute projects that are rooted within the continent, leveraging indigenous expertise while meeting global standards,” he said, noting that local content frameworks across countries, including Nigeria, already provide a policy foundation to support this direction.
Ghezali further emphasised that achieving meaningful progress would require stronger collaboration among African nations, service providers, and institutions, particularly in reducing reliance on foreign technical support.
Earlier, NASENI’s Director of Manufacturing Services, Engr. Dr. Adesola Olayode Olasupo, reiterated the agency’s mandate to convert innovative ideas into market-ready products. He highlighted NASENI’s capabilities in precision engineering, reverse engineering, and component manufacturing, while calling for deeper partnerships across the continent.
The visit underscores NASENI’s growing role in advancing regional integration and strengthening Africa’s industrial base through innovation-led development.
