NMDPRA CEO Advocates for Phased Approach to African Fuel Specification Harmonization at ARDA Week 2026

Engr. Saidu Mohammed pushes for a phased approach to fuel standards at ARDA Week 2026, urging African nations to balance environmental goals with market realities.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 6:27 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Leadership

Rejecting Rigid Targets for Market Realities

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Saidu Mohammed, has cautioned against imposing rigid, immediate targets for fuel specification harmonization across the African continent. Speaking at the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) Week 2026 in Cape Town, Mohammed argued that while alignment is a vital strategic goal, it must be pursued through a phased approach. He noted that the current disparities in regulatory capacity and infrastructure across African nations make a universal, rapid transition both impractical and potentially disruptive to regional supply chains.

A Step-by-Step Transition Model

During the panel session titled “Policy Pathways to Fuel Specification Harmonisation: Regulation, Progress, and Ambition,” Mohammed emphasized that countries must be allowed to transition at a pace consistent with their domestic realities. This model aims to prevent the imposition of additional cost pressures on consumers while still moving toward higher quality standards. "Harmonisation must be pragmatic and context-driven," Mohammed stated, highlighting that the primary goal is to align ambition with the actual execution capabilities of individual refining sectors.

Nigeria’s Regulatory Direction

Mohammed showcased Nigeria’s current efforts under the NMDPRA to tighten fuel quality standards without compromising market efficiency or supply stability. He argued that effective regulation in developing markets requires a delicate balance between ambitious environmental objectives and the fundamental need for energy access and affordability. By gradually tightening standards, Nigeria aims to lead by example, proving that a phased transition can support a cleaner energy future without triggering economic shocks.