- Senegal and Mauritania signed a local content agreement for the GTA gas project to maximise job creation, training, and technology transfer.
- Gas production began on December 31, 2024, marking both countries’ entry into the natural gas sector.
- The agreement aims to foster efficient collaboration, integrate local businesses, and ensure sustainable economic growth for both nations.
Senegal and Mauritania have taken a significant step in strengthening their energy cooperation. On January 13, 2025, the two countries signed a local content agreement for the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project. Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Birame Soulèye Diop, and Mauritania’s Minister, Mohamed Ould Khaled, signed the agreement in Nouakchott.
The GTA gas project lies at the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania, offering a significant source of natural gas. The new agreement ensures that the local populations benefit from the project. The focus will be job creation, training, and technology transfer to local industries.
The agreement also establishes a transparent monitoring system to track progress and ensure both countries maximise the project’s benefits. Ministers Diop and Ould Khaled spoke about their commitment to local content and resource development during the ceremony. They highlighted that the project provides both nations an opportunity for economic transformation.
Gas production began on December 31, 2024, marking a key milestone for the GTA project. With this step, both countries officially joined the group of natural gas producers, strengthening their energy sectors and opening new growth opportunities.
“The agreement reflects our shared commitment to mobilising our resources for the benefit of our people,” Minister Ould Khaled said. He emphasised that the agreement is about more than gas extraction, focusing on creating lasting economic value for both countries.
Senegal and Mauritania’s bilateral collaboration has earned praise for its efficiency. Both countries’ technical teams have worked together smoothly, setting a model for cross-border cooperation. The ministers praised the strong working relationship and emphasised the need to continue this collaboration as the project progresses.
However, implementing the agreement will require careful coordination. Both countries must engage all stakeholders, especially local businesses, to ensure the project’s benefits reach everyone. The local content provisions must be integrated into national development plans to ensure long-term economic growth.
Effective coordination of stakeholders will be crucial. Local businesses must participate in every project stage to spread benefits across both countries. The governments must also ensure they have mechanisms to monitor the success of local content initiatives.
Both nations have pledged to align the project with national public policies while advancing its goals. Striking this balance will be critical for the GTA project to become a model of sustainable development. The project will provide energy and help drive broader economic growth in the region.
As the project progresses, Senegal and Mauritania will face challenges implementing the agreement’s provisions. If they succeed, the GTA gas project could set a standard for future resource-driven development across West Africa. Both countries aim to ensure the project benefits all communities by prioritising local content.
Next, the two countries will focus on turning this agreement into tangible economic results. Both nations are committed to success, so the GTA project may become a model for other African cross-border energy initiatives.