Algeria’s energy giant is making a decisive move into Senegal, marking a turning point in its African expansion. Already deeply rooted in Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Benin and Mauritania, the Sonelgaz group has now set its sights on the Senegalese market.
The signing of two memoranda of understanding with Senelec this Saturday represents a major breakthrough in Algeria’s push for African energy integration.
Algeria is stepping up its economic diplomacy across Africa. On Saturday, October 3, the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Dr Mourad Adjal, welcomed his Senegalese counterpart, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf. At the heart of their talks: the transfer of Algerian expertise and support for Senegal in developing its electricity and gas infrastructure.
Sonelgaz as the driving force behind Algeria’s energy diplomacy
The momentum is unmistakable. Algeria is no longer content with exporting its hydrocarbons; it is now exporting its engineering know-how. After forging multiple partnerships and infrastructure projects with Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Benin and Mauritania, Sonelgaz is now turning its attention to West Africa.
During this high-level meeting, Dr Mourad Adjal reaffirmed Algiers’ commitment to supporting Senegal across the entire value chain: from electricity generation to gas distribution, including the manufacturing of electrical equipment and the training of professionals.
Natural gas emerges as a key focus of cooperation with Senelec
Senegal, which is about to join the exclusive club of gas-producing nations, is seeking experienced partners to develop its resources. This is where Sonelgaz’s expertise becomes a major asset. Discussions largely focused on electricity generation from natural gas, a field in which Algeria excels.
This determination to pool expertise materialised through the signing of two memoranda of understanding between the Sonelgaz group and Senelec (Senegal’s national electricity company). These agreements cover:
- Skills transfer and technical assistance;
- Manufacturing and marketing of electrical equipment;
- Development of energy infrastructure;
- Strengthening of electrical interconnection.
Senegal bets on a reliable partner
For Dakar, the choice of Algeria is no coincidence. Senegal’s minister, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, described Algeria as a “reliable partner on which Senegal will rely in the next phase”. Praising Algerian expertise, he noted that energy remains the strategic engine of his country’s development.
This alliance fits perfectly into the vision of a mutually beneficial South-South cooperation. By relying on a continental champion like Sonelgaz, Senegal hopes to accelerate its energy independence while benefiting from optimised development costs.
A government agreement expected in Dakar in December
Sonelgaz’s Senegalese offensive is only just beginning. This fruitful meeting in Algiers lays the groundwork for an even broader political and economic partnership. Both countries have already set a date: a comprehensive government agreement in the energy and renewable energies sector will be signed in Dakar in early December.
With this new deployment, the Sonelgaz group confirms its ambition to become the undisputed leader in electricity and gas across the African continent, further consolidating Algeria’s position as a regional energy power.
