CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2025 – Senegal’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Birame Souleye Diop, has confirmed that the country is set to undertake a comprehensive Senegal oil and gas code review ahead of the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 Conference and Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Dakar from December 9–10.
The announcement was made during a ministerial press briefing held at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
Minister Diop emphasized that the Senegal oil and gas code review would focus on strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency, improve local content participation, and align the country’s hydrocarbon governance with international best practices.
“Senegal is currently reviewing all of its codes, as well as developments in the electricity sector, in order to create a framework for industrialization,” Diop stated.
He added that the government’s ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive and equitable energy framework that ensures the country’s resources directly benefit its citizens.
“These revisions are about putting Senegalese people at the center of our energy success story,” Diop explained.
Senegal Oil and Gas Code Review: Advancing Good Governance and Transparency
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Senegal oil and gas code review represents a major step in ensuring that new regulations address both investor confidence and local development priorities.
The updates will cover upstream, midstream, and downstream activities, reflecting the government’s commitment to balance industry competitiveness with social equity.
The reforms are expected to create more opportunities for Senegalese entrepreneurs, promote skills transfer, and attract sustainable foreign investment.
This approach mirrors Senegal’s broader industrialization plan, which seeks to leverage oil and gas revenues to power economic diversification and reduce unemployment.
Minister Diop noted that with the first phase of the Sangomar oil field coming online, Senegal’s emerging energy economy must be guided by strong governance principles.
“We are working to make sure our hydrocarbon resources are not only well-managed but also catalyze wider national development,” he said.
MSGBC 2025: A Platform for Regional Collaboration
The upcoming MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 Conference in Dakar will provide a platform for regional leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss strategies that enhance sustainable energy growth in the MSGBC Basin—which includes Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry.
The event is expected to host high-level dialogues on cross-border gas cooperation, infrastructure investment, and clean energy transitions.
Minister Diop confirmed that the Senegal oil and gas code review will be a key topic of discussion at the conference, underscoring Senegal’s role as a regional leader in energy reform.
Meanwhile, Lamin Camara, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy of The Gambia, announced that The Gambia is in advanced stages of negotiations for new oil well licenses.
“By the time we get to the MSGBC conference, we will announce that we have signed licenses for our oil wells,” Camara said, adding, “We are in the advanced stages of negotiation, which we expect to complete before this conference.”
The MSGBC event will therefore showcase both Senegal’s reform momentum and The Gambia’s investment-ready exploration portfolio, illustrating how the region is positioning itself as a frontier energy hub in Africa.
Driving Local Content and Sustainable Development
The Senegal oil and gas code review also supports President Macky Sall’s vision of achieving energy sovereignty and sustainable development.
By introducing stricter transparency clauses and modern fiscal incentives, Senegal aims to foster an enabling environment that attracts responsible investors while empowering local stakeholders.
Industry observers expect the revised codes to integrate provisions for renewable energy synergies, carbon management, and improved community engagement, further cementing Senegal’s reputation as a pioneer in West African energy governance.
Through these reforms, Senegal continues to demonstrate its commitment to transparency, sustainability, and inclusive growth—hallmarks of a thriving, modern energy economy.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
SOURCE: African Energy Chamber
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