Nigerian oil magnate Ademola Adeyemi-Bero is positioning his company, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (First E&P), for a calculated expansion into East Africa. The Lagos-based upstream energy firm has expressed keen interest in Tanzania’s growing gas sector, marking a significant pivot in regional energy dynamics and underlining the ambition of Nigerian energy players to play a broader continental role.
Adeyemi-Bero, who is widely respected for his deep technical expertise and strategic acumen, is not entering uncharted waters blindly. His career, which spans three decades across global oil and gas giants, has shaped First E&P into a nimble and commercially disciplined exploration and production company. Now, with its Nigerian operations delivering steady results in the shallow offshore regions, the company is casting its net wider. Tanzania, with its untapped offshore reserves and ongoing efforts to streamline policy for international investors, offers a compelling next step.
The East African nation has long been viewed as a sleeping giant in the natural gas sector. Its deep-water discoveries, estimated at over 57 trillion cubic feet, remain largely undeveloped. But that may soon change. With the Tanzanian government actively revamping its regulatory framework and courting reputable partners, the timing could not be more favourable.
First E&P’s move signals a maturing confidence in the capabilities of Nigerian firms to export not just resources, but operational excellence. Adeyemi-Bero’s leadership style has long centred on building indigenous capacity, and he is expected to bring that same commitment to local engagement in Tanzania. His approach typically blends strong environmental stewardship with sustainable business practices, which may appeal to stakeholders in a region cautious of extractive ventures that overlook local impact.
While negotiations and regulatory approvals are still in motion, industry insiders confirm that talks between First E&P and Tanzanian authorities have been productive. Adeyemi-Bero’s reputation for disciplined project execution, coupled with First E&P’s track record in Nigeria’s Oil Mining Leases 83 and 85, positions the company as a credible partner in Tanzania’s energy future.
This cross-continental move reflects a broader shift in Africa’s energy narrative. African companies are no longer content to be passive players or local contractors. They are building scale, acquiring technical depth, and entering boardrooms once reserved for foreign multinationals. Adeyemi-Bero is part of a new breed of African energy leaders who are reshaping the continent’s footprint on the global map, one strategic venture at a time.
As First E&P inches closer to formalising its presence in Tanzania, the rest of the industry will be watching closely. Not just for what it means for Adeyemi-Bero’s company, but for what it signals about the next phase of African energy integration, ambition, and leadership.
