How Countries Are Using Local Content Policy to Turn Energy Projects Into Economic Growth

Credit: Ileana Ferber, MBA

The Energy Local Content Map is a global resource designed to help governments, investors, companies, and development organizations understand how local content policies are shaping energy and extractive industries around the world. As countries seek to ensure that natural resource development delivers lasting economic benefits at home, local content requirements have become a central policy tool for job creation, workforce development, and the growth of domestic supply chains.

The Map compiles country-level information in one accessible platform, allowing users to explore how different jurisdictions approach local content. Each country profile includes relevant economic and sector statistics, legal and policy materials, analysis and case studies, curated news articles, and information on in-country initiatives related to local content development. This structure makes it easier to compare policy approaches across markets and to identify trends without navigating fragmented or highly technical sources.

Once viewed primarily as a compliance obligation for extractive industries, local content policy is now increasingly tied to national competitiveness and energy security. Governments are using these policies to strengthen domestic industries, reduce supply chain risk, and capture greater value from energy investment. The Energy Local Content Map reflects this evolution by expanding its scope beyond traditional oil, gas, and mining into areas connected to the energy transition.

In 2024, the platform is continuing to grow, with additional content planned for each country page. This includes information on institutions responsible for leading and monitoring local content policy, climate change and green transition initiatives connected to domestic value creation, renewable energy local content frameworks, and a monthly newsletter highlighting key policy developments across countries.

By consolidating legal frameworks, policy signals, and implementation examples, the Energy Local Content Map helps reduce information gaps for decision-makers. Governments can use it to benchmark their policies, companies can better assess regulatory and operational risk, and investors can gain clearer insight into how local economic participation factors into long-term project viability.

The Energy Local Content Map is sponsored and promoted by Ipieca, the global oil and gas industry association focused on environmental and social performance. As the global energy system undergoes rapid change, the platform provides a practical reference point for understanding how countries are aligning energy development with local economic outcomes.

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