New Liberia-Ghana Deal Targets Stronger Oil and Gas Governance

Liberia and Ghana have signed a new cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening petroleum sector regulation, boosting institutional capacity and promoting better governance in their oil and gas industries.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on June 2, 2026, brings together the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) and Ghana’s Petroleum Commission in a partnership focused on regulatory collaboration, knowledge exchange and technical cooperation.

Under the agreement, both countries will work together on petroleum licensing, contract administration, local content development and joint capacity-building programmes, while also sharing best practices in sector oversight.

The partnership is expected to enhance the ability of both regulators to engage investors, national stakeholders and international institutions more effectively, creating a stronger framework for sustainable petroleum development.

The deal comes at a significant time for Liberia as the country moves to oversee its first new upstream Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) in more than a decade following agreements signed in 2025 with TotalEnergies EP Liberia and Oranto Petroleum.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, LPRA Director General, Marlin T. Logan, said the agreement builds on the longstanding relationship between Liberia and Ghana and reflects their shared commitment to improving energy sector governance.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, emphasised that robust regulatory institutions are essential for ensuring petroleum resources are managed responsibly and deliver lasting benefits to citizens.

Both organisations said the agreement marks the beginning of a deeper strategic partnership that will be implemented through technical exchanges, joint initiatives and continuous collaboration aimed at strengthening petroleum regulation in both countries.

The cooperation is also expected to support local content development and improve the investment climate as Liberia seeks to revitalise its upstream oil sector while drawing on Ghana’s more established regulatory experience.