The Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, has called on African countries to adopt technology-driven upstream petroleum operations to ensure the continent remains competitive in the global oil and gas space.
Speaking during a panel discussion on the role of technology and innovation in accelerating oil and gas development at the ongoing Africa Oil Week in Accra, Ghana, Kiptoo emphasized that technology and data are no longer optional tools but strategic levers for shaping the future of Africa’s energy sector.
“We must harness the power of technology and innovation to enhance efficiency in the management of upstream petroleum resources,” said Kiptoo.
His remarks come at a time when Africa’s upstream petroleum industry is facing both challenges and opportunities, from fluctuating global oil prices to the pressure of energy transition and sustainability demands.
Kenya’s Growing Voice in Continental Petroleum Discourse
Kiptoo’s participation underscores Kenya’s increasingly active role in continental energy conversations. Though Kenya is not yet a major oil producer, discoveries in the South Lokichar Basin in Turkana County have positioned the country as a potential player in the East African petroleum market.
By championing technology-driven approaches, Kenya is signaling its intent to leapfrog traditional petroleum models and adopt innovation at the heart of its upstream operations.
Kiptoo stressed that for Kenya and the wider continent, technology offers a dual advantage:
- Operational efficiency – streamlining exploration, drilling, and production processes.
- Energy access – expanding affordable and equitable energy to more people while reducing environmental impact.
“Technology will play a central role in ramping up demand and ensuring that access to energy becomes equitable across the continent,” he added.
Why Technology Matters in Upstream Petroleum
The upstream petroleum sector — which covers exploration and production of oil and gas — is high-risk, capital-intensive, and heavily reliant on data. Technology adoption can transform the sector in several key ways:
- Advanced seismic imaging and data analytics help identify reserves more accurately, reducing the cost of exploration.
- Digital oilfields and remote monitoring improve real-time decision-making, enhancing efficiency.
- Automation and AI reduce operational risks and environmental hazards.
- Satellite and drone technologies improve pipeline monitoring and early leak detection.
- Big data management systems ensure transparency, aiding regulators, investors, and policymakers.
For African producers, who often grapple with high costs, regulatory bottlenecks, and infrastructure gaps, such innovations could mean the difference between marginal and profitable projects.
East Africa’s Rising Petroleum Ambitions
During a separate panel on East Africa’s upstream opportunities, Eng. Edward Kinyua, EPRA’s Director of Petroleum and Gas, provided updates on Kenya’s regulatory progress and industry prospects.
He revealed that EPRA has recently subjected seven draft upstream and midstream petroleum regulations to public participation. Once gazetted, these regulations are expected to create:
- A transparent and predictable regulatory environment,
- Enhanced investor confidence, and
- Stronger environmental safeguards.
“These regulations will ensure a transparent and predictable regulatory environment while ensuring environmental responsibility, and enhancing investor confidence,” said Kinyua.
He added that Gulf Energy is expected to submit a Field Development Plan (FDP) for the South Lokichar Basin for regulatory review, marking a critical step forward for Kenya’s upstream petroleum ambitions.
Building a Petroleum Data Center
One of the most significant announcements from Kinyua was that EPRA is in the process of establishing a petroleum data center.
This facility will:
- Consolidate data from seismic studies, drilling operations, and production reports.
- Provide a centralized hub for investors, researchers, and policymakers.
- Strengthen Kenya’s data governance framework, which is already considered robust compared to many peers.
With reliable, accessible data, Kenya aims to improve decision-making, attract investment, and enhance sector transparency — critical ingredients for building investor trust in the upstream market.
South Lokichar Basin: Kenya’s Flagship Oil Project
The South Lokichar Basin, operated by Tullow Oil and its partners, has an estimated 560 million barrels of recoverable reserves. While development has faced delays due to financing hurdles and shifting oil market dynamics, it remains Kenya’s most promising upstream asset.
Submission of a Field Development Plan by Gulf Energy would mark a major milestone in moving from exploration to production. If successful, Kenya could join the ranks of oil-exporting nations in East Africa, alongside Uganda, which is already advancing the development of its Lake Albert Basin oilfields and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
Africa Oil Week: A Pan-African Energy Platform
Held annually, Africa Oil Week is the continent’s premier platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to discuss the future of Africa’s energy landscape.
The 2025 edition in Accra brought together leaders from more than 60 countries, covering topics such as:
- Upstream oil and gas development,
- Financing for exploration,
- Energy transition strategies,
- Gas monetization, and
- Regional cooperation.
For Kenya, participation in the event signals its ambition to position itself as a credible upstream player while learning from best practices across the continent.
The Bigger Picture: Africa’s Energy Future
Africa holds an estimated 125 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and 13 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, much of it untapped. Yet the global push for renewable energy and the need to cut carbon emissions are reshaping how African countries approach their petroleum resources.
While demand for oil and gas is expected to persist in the medium term, the long-term trajectory points towards cleaner energy systems. This makes it crucial for African producers to maximize efficiency, attract investment, and ensure sustainability.
Technology adoption, as emphasized by EPRA, will be pivotal in helping the continent achieve this balance — leveraging its petroleum endowment while preparing for a low-carbon future.
Balancing Petroleum Development and Energy Transition
Kenya, like many African nations, faces a dual challenge:
- Developing its petroleum sector to meet immediate energy and economic needs.
- Aligning with global climate goals and commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Technology offers a bridge between these goals. Advanced monitoring and analytics can help reduce gas flaring, cut methane emissions, and ensure compliance with environmental standards, even as petroleum projects move forward.
The message from EPRA’s leadership at Africa Oil Week is clear: Africa cannot afford to lag behind in adopting technology for upstream petroleum operations.
For Kenya, this is both a national imperative and a regional opportunity. By establishing a petroleum data center, strengthening regulations, and pushing for technology-led practices, Kenya is laying the groundwork for a modern and competitive oil and gas sector.
The coming months will be critical, particularly with Gulf Energy’s anticipated FDP submission for South Lokichar. If realized, Kenya could see its first commercial oil production within the next decade, reshaping the country’s energy and economic landscape.
With the right policies, partnerships, and technological investments, Africa — and Kenya in particular — could unlock a future where petroleum resources fuel not just profits, but sustainable growth, equitable energy access, and resilience in a changing global energy order.
