By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
Senegal and Nigeria are strengthening bilateral energy cooperation following a high-level working visit by Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Birame Soulèye Diop, and representatives from national oil company (NOC) Petrosen to Abuja, recently. The Senegalese delegation met with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, with the parties committing to strengthening cooperation across various fields.
The visit reflects a growing commitment by African producers to work together on refining, policy development, gas monetisation and NOC collaboration – a strategy that is expected to strengthen African energy growth and industrialisation.
Representing the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) has welcomed the collaboration, according to its statement.
AEC noted that stronger ties between African producers are critical at a time when the continent is seeking to attract investment, build infrastructure and expand intra-African energy trade.
It added that greater cooperation between ministries and NOCs such as Petrosen and NNPC has the potential to support knowledge sharing, strengthen institutional capacity and accelerate the development of strategic projects across the oil and gas value chain, from upstream production to refining and gas commercialisation.
The collaboration also comes as African countries work to operationalise the Africa Energy Bank, with Senegal having already paid its capital contribution and positioning itself as an active participant in financing African energy projects.
Strong partnerships between African nations will be the foundation of energy security, industrialisation and economic growth across the continent.
Executive Chairman, AEC, NJ Ayuk, was quoted as saying: “This is exactly the kind of collaboration Africa needs. When countries like Senegal and Nigeria work together – sharing knowledge, building infrastructure, strengthening NOCs and improving policies – we create an environment where investment can thrive and where Africa can take control of its energy future.
“Strong partnerships between African nations will be the foundation of energy security, industrialisation and economic growth across the continent.”
The collaboration comes as a pivotal time for West Africa, with both Senegal and Nigeria looking at expanding their respective upstream and downstream markets.
For Senegal, collaboration with Nigeria could serve as a catalyst for stronger governance structures and streamlined licensing procedures, enhancing the country’s attractiveness for foreign capital as it looks to scale production and bolster regional trade. Recent milestones have not only positioned Senegal as a producing market but demonstrated its potential for scalable investments.
Cooperation with Senegal therefore aligns with Nigeria’s broader strategy of strengthening African energy markets while expanding regional trade in both crude and refined products.
The strengthening of ties between Senegal and Nigeria signals a broader shift taking place across Africa’s energy sector, where collaboration – rather than competition – is increasingly being seen as the key to unlocking investment, developing infrastructure and ensuring long-term energy security.
By working together on refining, gas monetisation, policy development and energy financing, Senegal and Nigeria are helping to set a precedent for how African energy markets can grow stronger through partnership, integration and shared strategic objectives.
