MOU with Ghana Standards Authority Advances Safety, Sustainability in Africa
Jordan Strickler
Posted September 16, 2024
African energy demand continues to accelerate, driven by its growing population (the world’s fastest) and increasing urbanization. However, despite its abundant natural resources, Africa remains the most energy-deficient continent in the world.
To address this, API has begun expanding its global outreach in the continent, supporting the safe development and expansion of the African natural gas and oil industries through the adoption and usage of API standards.
This includes forging relationships that formalize intentions and processes. For instance, API recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the Ghanaian national standards body. Signed Sept. 3, this MOU marks API’s first substantive effort with an African national standards body and advances the adoption of API standards in global energy practices, increasing energy access and fostering greater alignment and consistency.
The GSA agreement focuses on the national adoption of API standards, beginning with API’s comprehensive Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS). GSA proactively influences the harmonization of standards regionally and internationally, making this work strategically significant to promote API standards throughout West Africa and beyond. API intends to support the growth and standardization of the oil and natural gas industry in key, emerging African markets to help the continent meet its energy needs safely and responsibly.
Through this strategic vision, API and GSA will work closely together to exchange industry information, organize joint forums, and support the development of standards that will benefit the U.S. and Ghanaian markets. The agreement also establishes opportunities for Ghanaian experts to participate in API's standards development process, and for GSA to provide support and assistance when API organizes standards-related activities in Ghana.
The MOU with Ghana builds on API’s recent efforts to strengthen international partnership, following newly signed agreements with organizations in China (2023 and 2024), Ukraine (2023), Brazil (2024), and India (2024). These collaborations collectively underscore API’s proactive approach to fostering global partnerships that drive progress, safety, and sustainability in the energy sector.
About The Author
Jordan Strickler is the Program Manager for API’s Global Standards Strategy (GSS). In this role, Mr. Strickler builds international relationships to promote the global use and adoption of API standards, pursues opportunities for global standards harmonization to improve industry safety and sustainability, and supports the development of API low carbon standards. He previously managed API downstream committees that develop standards for refinery equipment and operations.
Prior to joining API, Mr. Strickler worked at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on international policy where he executed standards and trade programs with global partners. Mr. Strickler holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Latin American Studies at the University of Miami and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).