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The Gambia represents a highly promising energy market and interest is growing across both the hydrocarbon and renewable energy sectors. With its close proximity to Senegal’s 231-million-barrel Sangomar field, The Gambia’s offshore basin holds significant potential for oil exploration. Additionally, the country boasts a minimum daily solar production capacity of 4 KWh per m2 and benefits from substantial wind energy resources between the January and May season.
Highlighting its commitment to advancing its energy sector, The Gambia recently signed five deals to facilitate growth and cooperation.
The Gambia and H2 Gambia’s Green Hydrogen Deal
The Gambia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and H2 Gambia, a subsidiary of HydroGenesis – a British company focused on hydrogen, both as a resource and an energy carrier with a focus on The Gambia -, signed an agreement to explore hydrogen potential in the country. The deal, inked at African Energy Week in Cape Town in October 2023, allows for a comprehensive year-long research study into The Gambia’s onshore hydrogen possibilities. Should the research prove successful, a new agreement will be signed to facilitate hydrogen production.
The initiative aligns with The Gambia’s strategy to collaborate with global energy firms to enhance energy security and affordability, contributing to local economic growth while advancing the country’s energy decarbonization efforts.
The Gambia and NEK Umwelttechnik AG’s MoU on Wind Farms
The Government of The Gambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swiss renewable project developer NEK Umwelttechnik AG in September 2023 to develop on- and offshore wind farms and explore the potential for green hydrogen production at scale. The projects comprise a 200 MW onshore and 350 MW offshore wind farm and will be situated along The Gambian coast.
The initiative aims to increase electricity access in the country and aligns with The Gambia’s climate commitments. The wind farms will significantly reduce electricity costs and provide additional capacity, enabling surplus energy to be exported to neighboring nations.
The Gambia and Ivory Coast’s Accord on Energy Cooperation
The Gambia and Ivory Coast signed an accord on energy cooperation in April 2023. The agreement – signed alongside an Air Services Agreement and bilateral cooperation deal – was signed by Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy of Ivory Coast and Abdoulie Jobe, the Minister of Petroleum and Energy for The Gambia.
The deal outlines cooperation in efficient research, development, trade, distribution, and use of all forms of energy – renewable or non-renewable – as well as energy planning exchange, research and development, workforce training, expertise and information exchange, and energy supply security. A consultative committee will be established to promote and monitor the planned cooperative activities.
The Gambia and EU Ink New Global Gateway Grant
The Gambia signed an agreement with the European Union and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the New Global Gateway grant in March 2023. The grant, comprising a €24.08 million loan, will be used alongside an €8 million loan from the EIB for the development of renewable energy systems in the country. The loan aims to advance both on- and off-grid power generation, transmission and distribution.
NNPC and GNPC’s MoU on Crude Oil Exploration
Nigeria’s National Oil Company (NOC), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and The Gambia’s NOC, the Gambian National Petroleum Company (GNPC), signed an MoU in February 2023 to collaborate in the oil and gas sector. The agreement focuses on new frontier exploration, expanding the crude oil market, and technology transfer to enhance energy security for both countries and the broader West African sub-region. Activities include geological studies, seismic data analysis, and drilling operations in The Gambia.
These agreements and many others will be further examined at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2023 conference and exhibition, the foremost energy gathering in the region. Scheduled for November 21-22 in Nouakchott, and held under the patronage of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, this event will connect energy policymakers and businesses from the MSGBC region with global investors. The event aims to foster collaboration and unveil fresh investment prospects throughout the regional gas value chain.
