I am pleased to share that I will be participating in the upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference in Dakar, Senegal and I invite you to register and join me at this exciting event. Taking place on 8–10 December 2025, MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power serves as the region's premier platform for advancing dialogue, partnerships and investment across West Africa's dynamic energy sector.

The MSGBC Basin continues to stand out as one of the world's most promising hydrocarbon and clean energy frontiers. Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry energy developments are reshaping the region's future and creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Senegal: Expanding Production and Downstream Capacity
The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project — developed jointly with Mauritania and partners bp and Kosmos Energy — achieved first gas in January and first shipments in April 2025, opening the door to sustained export revenue and domestic gas-to-power initiatives. Meanwhile, the Yakaar-Teranga gas project is progressing toward FID to balance domestic demand with future LNG exports.

Senegal's energy industry has entered a defining phase. Following the start-up of the Sangomar offshore oilfield operated by Woodside in 2024, planning is already underway for Phase 2, which will expand production capacity, with 2025 output forecasts revised upward to nearly 35 million barrels.

Downstream, Senegal's SAR refinery is preparing for expansion and modernization to process local crude — a critical step toward reducing imports and anchoring local industry. MSGBC 2025 will highlight investment opportunities across exploration, downstream infrastructure and local content as Senegal continues to diversify through hydrocarbon monetization and renewable energy projects.

Mauritania: Driving Gas and Green Hydrogen Growth
Mauritania is entering a new phase of energy-driven transformation, underpinned by both natural gas and green hydrogen development. The GTA LNG project, developed by bp, Kosmos Energy, SMH (Mauritania) and Petrosen (Senegal), stands as one of Africa's most strategic LNG ventures, backed by 425 billion cubic meters of gas reserves.

Building on this momentum, Mauritania is advancing the BirAllah gas field — estimated at 80 trillion cubic feet of reserves — which could deliver 10 million tons of LNG annually by 2030, with an estimated investment of $17 billion. 

Beyond hydrocarbons, Mauritania is positioning itself as a leader in green hydrogen, targeting 12.5 million tons annually by 2035. The government's proactive stance includes the world's first hydrogen code,  attracting global investors to projects such as CWP Global's 30 GW Aman and Chariot's 10 GW Project Nour — both leveraging exceptional wind and solar resources for sustainable energy exports.

The Gambia: Exploring New Frontiers
The Gambia is building on regional momentum with ambitious plans to expand exploration across its offshore acreage. Backed by African Development Bank, the country aims to achieve 90% nationwide electrification by the end of 2025, including 50% in rural areas.

In the upstream space, offshore blocks A2 and A5, operated by FAR, hold up to 1.2 billion barrels of potential oil reserves, with extended permits and partnership opportunities for upcoming wells. The Gambia is also venturing into renewables and hydrogen, following a 2023 exploration agreement with H2 Gambia. These developments will be key topics at MSGBC 2025 as the country positions itself as a rising energy investment hub.

Guinea-Conakry: Strengthening the Upstream and Power Sectors
Guinea-Conakry is advancing reforms to attract upstream investment and align fiscal frameworks with regional best practices. A 22-block bid round, featuring on- and offshore assets and supported by updated seismic data, is expected to attract significant interest.

Meanwhile, the West Africa LNG Group's $300 million LNG terminal at the Port of Kamsar will integrate a 1,900 MW gas-fired power plant to supply the country's mining sector. Alongside this, major hydropower projects — Souapiti (450 MW), Amaria (300 MW) and Koukoutamba (294 MW) — are underway, complemented by plans to add 500 MW of solar capacity, marking a decisive move toward diversified energy security.

Guinea-Bissau: Emerging Opportunities in Exploration
Guinea-Bissau is deepening partnerships to unlock its resource potential. Apus Energy recently drilled the Atum-1X well — the first offshore exploration well in nearly two decades — targeting 314 million barrels near Senegal's Sangomar field. At the same time, cooperation with international partners, including Russia, is expanding in both oil exploration and bauxite mining.

The proposed Nigeria–Morocco gas pipeline, set to transit through Guinea-Bissau, further underscores the country's growing integration into regional energy infrastructure. Together, these developments position Guinea-Bissau as an emerging upstream and infrastructure opportunity within the MSGBC Basin.

These milestones across the region are reshaping West Africa's energy landscape and affirming the MSGBC Basin's role as a cornerstone of Africa's future energy security.

As we convene with policymakers, investors, NOCs and project developers, my focus will remain on advancing the African Energy Chamber's mission — ensuring Africa's energy wealth benefits its people through sustainable growth, job creation and industrialization. Together, we can continue advocating for local content, sound investment frameworks and African-led solutions that drive inclusive energy development and eradicating energy poverty across the continent by 2030.

I look forward to engaging with partners across the continent and beyond to explore how we can turn potential into projects — building a more resilient, industrialized and prosperous Africa.

Now is the time to invest. Now is the time to progress. Now is the time to transform the region.

Register to attend MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025.

I look forward to seeing you in Dakar and continuing this important conversation.

Warm regards,
NJ Ayuk