Dakar: Africa Oil & Gas Expo – Dakar 2026

Theme: Oil and Gas Discoveries in Senegal – Opportunities and Challenges
Date: June 10, 11 & 12, 2026 
Venue: CENTRE DES EXPOSITIONS / CICAD DIAMNIADIO, Dakar, Sénégal

1. Background and Rationale

Africa currently holds a strategic position in the global hydrocarbons market, with approximately 7.5% of proven oil reserves and 7.1% of global proven natural gas reserves. This significant energy potential has attracted increasing interest from major economic powers and international companies, in a global context shaped by the energy transition, geopolitical tensions, and the need to secure energy supply.

Historically, countries such as Algeria, Nigeria, and Angola have been leading hydrocarbon producers on the continent. However, the emergence of new players such as Mauritania, Namibia, and Senegal, driven by recent discoveries and more attractive legal frameworks, is gradually reshaping Africa’s energy landscape. This dynamic is intensifying competition among African nations to attract investment, modernize regulatory frameworks, and develop the infrastructure required for the industry.

Senegal, in particular, is positioning itself as an emerging key energy player in West Africa. Since 2014, several major oil and gas discoveries have significantly strengthened its energy outlook. In June 2024, the country reached a major milestone with the “First Oil”, marking the start of oil production from the Sangomar field, operated by Woodside Energy.

Discoveries made between 2014 and 2017 include:

• Oil: FAN-1, SNE-1, FAN SUD-1, and SNE NORD-1, located in the Rufisque offshore, Sangomar offshore, and Sangomar deep offshore blocks (RSSD).

• Gas: GUEMBEUL-1 in the Saint-Louis deep offshore block, as well as YAAKAR-1 and TERANGA-1 in the Kayar deep offshore block.

Senegal’s gas potential is estimated at over 35 TCF for the Yakaar–Teranga project, in addition to the 15 TCF from the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) field shared with Mauritania, as well as oil resources estimated at more than 1,030 million barrels.

In response to these developments, Senegal has undertaken major reforms, including the adoption of a Petroleum Code (2019), a Local Content Law (2019), a Gas Code (2020), and a law governing the management and allocation of hydrocarbon revenues (2022), including the creation of a Stabilization Fund and an Intergenerational Fund.

2. Overview of Africa Oil & Gas Expo – Dakar 2026

In this context, the first edition of Africa Oil & Gas Expo – Dakar 2026 will be held in Dakar on June 10, 11, and 12, 2026. The event aims to provide a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and the promotion of investment opportunities related to the development of Africa’s oil and gas sector, with a strong focus on Senegal and West Africa.

Africa Oil & Gas Expo is designed to become a major reference event bringing together public institutions, oil and gas companies, service providers, private investors, financial institutions, academic experts, and civil society stakeholders.

3. Main Objective and Strategic Goals

The main objective of the event is to position Senegal as a regional energy hub, while promoting the responsible, inclusive, and sustainable development of oil and gas resources across Africa.

Key strategic goals include:

• Showcasing Senegal’s major oil and gas projects (Sangomar, GTA, Yakaar–Teranga)

• Strengthening Senegal’s attractiveness to national and international investors

• Promoting local content and the integration of African SMEs into the value chain

• Encouraging skills development and technology transfer

• Supporting regional energy cooperation

• Raising awareness on HSE, environmental, and governance challenges

• Stimulating job creation and socio-economic development

4. Event Structure and Activities

Africa Oil & Gas Expo – Dakar 2026 is structured around several key components:

• A two-day prelude dedicated to regional energy cooperation

• Two main days of exhibition and conferences (June 10 and 11, 2026)

• Additional activities including B2B meetings, technical workshops, exhibitions, thematic panels, high-level conferences, as well as a touristic visit.

The prelude will focus on the theme:
“Pooling Energy Resources in West Africa”, with discussions covering:

• energy cooperation between Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mauritania, and The Gambia,

• shared energy infrastructure and regional security,

• harmonization of legal and fiscal frameworks.

The first day (June 10, 2026) will focus on oil and gas exploitation in Senegal, addressing key topics such as discoveries, governance, transparency, socio-economic impacts, HSE issues, waste management, and operational security.

The second day (June 11, 2026) will highlight local content and economic opportunities, with emphasis on training, technology transfer, SME integration, and synergies between oil, gas, mining, industrial development, and agriculture.

5. Expected Outcomes

Africa Oil & Gas Expo – Dakar 2026 aims to deliver tangible outcomes, including:

• Strengthening Senegal’s international visibility as an emerging energy destination

• Building strategic partnerships between governments, investors, and private sector actors

• Promoting investment opportunities and local content development

• Enhancing human and technical capacity building

• Establishing a Pan-African network of energy sector stakeholders

• Supporting sustainable, responsible, and transparent resource development

Conclusion

Africa Oil & Gas Expo – Dakar 2026 is part of a broader regional and continental energy transformation dynamic, in which Senegal is now positioned as a strategic player. By bringing together institutional, private, financial, and technical stakeholders, the event aims to become a key platform for dialogue, cooperation, and investment, supporting the development of oil and gas resources while integrating governance, sustainability, and inclusive economic development priorities.