Retaining skilled labour and increasing the skilled workforce are the two main challenges impacting upon African oil and gas operators in the low oil price environment
The Hays 2016 Oil and Gas Global Salary guide cited these two factors in the report released last week. This workforce challenge was ranked by employers as the biggest challenges, second only to economic instability.
Falling oil prices have led to an overall slowing of activity by African oil operators. Attracting investors will be essential if African oil operators are to expand and recruit more staff, according to the guide.
Numerous African governments, including those of Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya have responded by passing bills aimed at attracting investment.
The Nigerian Government has pledged an overhaul of the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company in the wake of President Buhari firing the NNPC board and appointing an outsider. This was done in a bid to improve transparency and corporate governance, and to build trust with foreign investors.
However, there is good news coming from East Africa with its enormous offshore gas potential slated to play a pivotal role in the global LNG market. As such, there is potential for job creation with projects such as Anadarko and Eni's liquefaction facility construction schemes still going ahead.
Analysts estimate that LNG exports could be worth up to US$39bn per year to Mozambique. This potential economic boost for Mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries, may be tempered by concerns over resettlement programmes and cooperation from indigenous tribes.
