Guyana’s booming oil and gas sector has welcomed a ground-breaking entrant: African PetroWork Solution, which this week became the first African-owned oilfield services provider to establish operations in Guyana. The company, founded in Nigeria and headquartered in Ghana, announced it has set up a regional office in Georgetown and inked subcontracts on offshore projects. This milestone underscores the global scope of Guyana’s petroleum industry, which up to now has been dominated by American, European, and Asian firms.
The move was feted by officials as a sign of South-South cooperation and diversification in the sector. “We are proud to see an African partner bringing expertise to our oil fields,” Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat said at a small welcome ceremony. African PetroWork Solution specializes in services like seismic surveying, rig support, and supply chain management for drilling operations. The firm is poised to work with ExxonMobil’s prime contractors in the Stabroek Block. Its CEO, Kwesi Mensah, said entering the Guyana market is “historic not just for us, but for bridging Africa-Caribbean energy collaboration.” He noted Guyana’s local content policy – which encourages foreign companies to team up with Guyanese businesses and hire local staff – made the venture attractive.
According to a Guyana Times report, African PetroWork’s entry “is in recognition of their work developing a large-scale, innovative and sustainable energy project” in partnership with local entities. The company apparently had been eyeing Guyana since the first oil discoveries, but only now found the right opportunity. It plans to hire and train Guyanese engineers and technicians, contributing to human capacity building. Observers say this development adds a new layer of diversity to an industry often criticized for being insular. It also aligns with the government’s narrative of making Guyana’s oil wealth inclusive and globally connected – reaching even sister developing regions like Africa.
The arrival of an African firm comes on the heels of high-level diplomatic exchanges. President Ali visited several African nations last year seeking investment, and Guyana has opened new missions in Ghana and South Africa. African PetroWork Solution’s presence could pave the way for more Afro-Caribbean business ties. For now, industry analysts are watching to see how effectively the company can compete and carve out market share amid much larger oilfield service giants. But its mere presence is hailed as a symbolic breakthrough, reflecting Guyana’s emergence as a magnet for expertise from every corner of the globe.
