Dakar: Senegal’s state-owned midstream company Reseau Gazier du Sénegal is set to begin construction of a domestic gas pipeline network before the end of 2025, according to Birame Soulèye Diop, Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines of Senegal. Minister Diop made the announcement during the ministerial panel at MSGBC Oil, Gas and Power 2025 on Tuesday, which brought together energy ministers and senior officials from Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, and The Gambia to discuss regional cooperation and sustainable energy development.
According to African Press Organization, Minister Diop stated that the initiative aims to leverage domestic gas as a transitional energy source, providing access to energy and clean cooking. The company RGS is spearheading this endeavor, with the goal of laying the first stone of the pipeline network before the end of 2025. Minister Diop outlined Senegal’s integrated strategy for gas, emphasizing its multiple uses beyond export, including gas-to-power, gas-to-in
dustry, and its applications in transport and agriculture.
Lamin Camara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, The Gambia, echoed Minister Diop’s comments on regional integration and collaboration. Camara highlighted that regional cooperation is central to their policy, with ongoing discussions with Mauritania and Senegal to be part of the gas pipeline network and benefit from its resources. On The Gambia’s hydrocarbon development, he mentioned that three negotiations have been completed, with hopes to sign agreements with major and mid-size companies by year-end.
Mohamed Ould Khaled, Minister of Petroleum and Energy of Mauritania, underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration. He pointed to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas project, shared with Senegal, as a successful example of regional cooperation, providing gas to multiple partners. Minister Khaled emphasized the goal of developing countries and industries together by collaborating closely with neighboring states to maximize op
portunities.
Bachir Camara, Deputy Minister of Guinea-Conakry, highlighted collaboration with other West African national oil companies. He mentioned efforts to upgrade governance and cooperate with Senegal’s Petrosen and Ivory Coast’s Petroci to strengthen regional collaboration and improve exploration outcomes.
Meanwhile, Celedónio Plácido Vieira, Minister of Natural Resources of Guinea-Bissau, spoke about leveraging regional potential. He mentioned reforms initiated in their petroleum code in 2014 to attract investment and their desire to engage with the NOCs of neighboring countries. Vieira emphasized that cooperation is key to making the MSGBC basin more attractive. Minister Diop concluded by stressing the importance of working together with Guinea-Bissau, as Senegal shares oil resources with them at the border, considering the potential of their blocks.