Senegal is taking 109 oil and gas blocks to African Energy Week 2026 as the country seeks new investment to expand exploration and build a larger domestic energy industry.
The blocks represent almost the entire national oil and gas portfolio. Senegal has 113 blocks, with only four currently under contract, Energy and Petroleum Minister El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf said in September. The government plans to present the remaining acreage to local and international investors as it seeks to attract capital and strengthen the role of Senegalese companies in the sector.
Diouf will join government officials, investors and energy companies at AEW 2026 in Cape Town from Oct. 12-16. His participation comes as Senegal moves into a new phase of oil and gas development following the start of production at the Sangomar oil field and the launch of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project with Mauritania.
The government is seeking to use the expansion of hydrocarbons to support industrialization, energy security and local economic participation. In July, Diouf said Senegal wanted to make national private companies a stronger part of the oil and gas value chain, with a target of raising local content to 50% of the value of goods and services in the hydrocarbons sector by 2030.
The licensing push is already attracting new international interest. In September, Senegal signed a memorandum of understanding with Italian energy major Eni to conduct preliminary technical and geological surveys on five offshore blocks. Eni will finance the studies itself, covering blocks SN01M, SN02M, SN03M, SN07M and SN40M. The agreement does not guarantee a future petroleum contract.
Senegal is also looking to use domestic gas to reduce its dependence on imported fuels and lower electricity costs. Diouf has said the government wants to expand the use of locally produced gas alongside renewable energy and efficiency measures. Projects including Sangomar, Greater Tortue Ahmeyim and Yakaar-Teranga are expected to play a central role in that strategy.
At AEW, Senegal will have an opportunity to present its next wave of exploration opportunities to investors while outlining how Dakar wants new hydrocarbon development to translate into domestic industrial growth and greater participation by Senegalese businesses.
AEW 2026 takes place October 12–16 in Cape Town. To register, visit http://www.aecweek-registration.com/2026/ or contact [email protected].
