Algeria’s state energy giant is pushing deeper into West Africa, and its latest move in Senegal is already generating debate about what this means for the region’s energy future. After building a solid presence in Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Benin and Mauritania, Sonelgaz has now set its sights on the Senegalese market.
The signing of two memorandums of understanding with Senegal’s national electricity company, Senelec, marks a fresh step in Algeria’s broader push for African energy integration. The fallout from this development is likely to shape discussions on energy sovereignty, regional competition and the pace of Senegal’s own gas ambitions.
Algeria is stepping up its economic diplomacy across the continent. On Saturday, October 3, the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Dr Mourad Adjal, received his Senegalese counterpart, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf. At the heart of their talks: the transfer of Algerian know-how and support for Senegal in developing its electricity and gas infrastructure.
Sonelgaz as a driver of Algeria’s energy diplomacy
The trend is unmistakable. Algeria is no longer content with exporting its hydrocarbons; it is now exporting its engineering expertise. After multiplying partnerships and infrastructure projects with Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Benin and Mauritania, Sonelgaz is turning its attention to West Africa.
During this high-level meeting, Dr Mourad Adjal reaffirmed Algiers’ willingness to support Senegal across the entire value chain: from power generation to gas distribution, including the manufacturing of electrical equipment and the training of professionals.
Natural gas: the new frontier of cooperation with Senelec
Senegal, which is preparing to join the small club of gas-producing countries, is looking for experienced partners to develop its resources. This is where Sonelgaz’s expertise becomes a major asset. The discussions largely focused on power generation from natural gas, a field in which Algeria excels.
This desire to pool skills materialised in the signing of two memorandums of understanding between Sonelgaz 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 electricity interconnection.
Senegal bets on a ‘reliable partner’
For Dakar, the choice of Algeria is no accident. The Senegalese minister, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, described Algeria as a “reliable partner on which Senegal will rely in the next stage”. Praising Algerian expertise, he recalled 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. The two countries have already set a date: a comprehensive government agreement in the field of energy and renewable energies will be signed in Dakar in early December.
With this new deployment, Sonelgaz is confirming its ambition to become the undisputed leader in electricity and gas on the African continent, further consolidating Algeria’s position as a regional energy power.