By Anna Marie Valentine
The Honourable Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines of The Gambia Mr Nani Juwara, recently delivered a statement at the Africa Energy Summit in London, urging global investors to turn their attention to the energy potential of the MSGBC Basin and The Gambia in particular.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister acknowledged the complex challenges facing African energy leaders. He described the role of energy ministers as one caught “between a rock and a hard place,” balancing the growing international push for renewable energy with ongoing domestic demands for reliable energy access regardless of the source.
The Minister commended the summit as an important platform for amplifying African voices and shaping a narrative that reflects the continent’s energy aspirations. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share recent developments in The Gambia’s upstream petroleum sector and to present the region as a serious and promising investment destination.
In making the case for the MSGBC Basin, which includes Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry, Minister Juawara pointed to the region’s peaceful political environment, geological potential, and ongoing infrastructural developments.
“The basin’s recent outputs confirm not only its geological promise but also its deliverability,” he said, adding that projects like Sangomar and GTA are ushering in new infrastructure, services, and human capital that will further integrate energy production into the region’s economies.
Turning to The Gambia, the Minister outlined several reforms undertaken to improve the country’s investment climate. These include a review of licensing models; legislative harmonisation, supported by the Africa Legal Support Facility; and the establishment of an autonomous Petroleum Commission through an Act passed in 2021. These changes, he said, aim to remove ambiguities and create a clearer, more robust legal framework for the petroleum sector.
Mr Juwara noted that The Gambia’s small size is an asset for investors, as it allows for quicker and more direct engagement with key decision-makers. “In just a few days, you can meet all officials that matter,” he remarked, describing it as a “one-stop shop” for energy investment. He also emphasised The Gambia’s proximity to Senegalese oil and gas discoveries, suggesting that this geographical advantage could yield economic efficiencies for joint or parallel developments.
While expressing optimism about the region’s future, the Minister stressed that such promise cannot be realised without strong partnerships with the private sector. “Without you, we cannot realise our dream of exploring and exploiting these resources,” he stated.
As his remarks drew to a close, the Minister thanked the summit organisers for providing a space for dialogue and collaboration, and extended a warm invitation to potential investors to visit The Gambia.
The event was attended by Energy ministers and executives, policymakers, and development experts.
