GNPC and SONATRACH Advance Strategic Partnership in Research and Technology Innovation
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) hosted a high-level delegation from SONATRACH, Algeria’s national oil and gas company, for a two-day working visit in Ghana, spanning Wednesday, October 15, to Thursday, October 16, 2025. The core objective of the visit was to delineate strategic avenues for cooperation between the two national oil companies, with a primary focus on research, technology innovation, and advanced laboratory development.
A central element of the discussions involved the potential for synergy via the GNPC Research and Technology Centre (RAT), particularly its forthcoming state-of-the-art laboratory. This facility is being established to deliver high-quality analytical and testing services to both the oil and gas sector and the mining industries across the African continent.
The meeting convened GNPC's Executive Committee (ExCom), led by Michael Aryeetey (Deputy Chief Executive, Exploration and Production) and Hamis Ussif (Deputy Chief Executive, Finance, Commercial & Administration). The SONATRACH delegation included Mrs. Souad Zegadi, Belkahla Merzoug, and Adelkader Zigadi, alongside a representative from the Algerian High Commission.
Both GNPC and SONATRACH presented detailed outlines of their respective strategic priorities, research agendas, and technological proficiencies. The presentations underscored a shared commitment to developing research-driven solutions, fostering capacity building, and accelerating innovation for sustainable resource development throughout Africa.
Michael Aryeetey emphasized GNPC’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that foster knowledge exchange and research excellence. "This engagement with SONATRACH highlighted GNPC’s persistent focus on driving innovation and cultivating African-led technological capacity. Collaborations of this nature are crucial to positioning our Research and Technology Centre as a centre of excellence for research and laboratory services within the West African sub-region,” he stated.
The SONATRACH delegation commended GNPC's significant investment in research and technology infrastructure, expressing pronounced interest in establishing long-term cooperation across domains such as laboratory management, data sharing, and specialized training.
The visit included a guided tour of the GNPC Research and Technology Centre, providing the SONATRACH team with a clear view of the facility's projected capabilities in petroleum and mineral analysis, environmental testing, and applied innovation. The tour served as an opportunity for technical knowledge exchange, highlighting GNPC’s dedication to operational excellence and technological advancement.
The engagement concluded with both organizations formally reaffirming their mutual intent to sustain technical and strategic discussions. The next phase will involve identifying specific, actionable areas for collaboration, including joint research projects, laboratory development initiatives, and structured capacity-building programmes.