Energy relations between Senegal and Mauritania reached a new milestone thanks to the signing, on January 13, 2025, of an agreement on local content as part of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project. This strategic commitment was made official in Nouakchott by Mohamed Ould Khaled, Mauritanian Minister of Energy, and Birame Soulèye Diop, his Senegalese counterpart.
The GTA project, located on the maritime border between the two countries, constitutes a promising source of natural gas and a lever for economic transformation. The agreement aims to maximize local benefits by promoting job creation, developing local skills through training programs and technology transfers, and establishing a transparent mechanism to monitor progress.
A model of regional cooperation
During the bilateral meeting, the ministers praised the harmony of collaboration between the technical teams of the two nations, presented as a model of efficiency. The start of gas production on December 31, 2024, marks the entry of the two countries among natural gas producers. This historic step places Dakar and Nouakchott with a unique opportunity to build an inclusive gas industry.
The terms of the agreement are part of a shared vision of developing natural resources. “This agreement reflects our common desire to mobilize our resources for the benefit of our populations,” declared Mohamed Ould Khaled, expressing the ambition of the two governments to translate this collaboration into concrete benefits.
Multiple challenges to address
Despite the promising prospects, the challenges remain significant. Effective implementation of the provisions set out in the agreement will require increased coordination between stakeholders. The involvement of local businesses will be key to ensuring that commitments translate into tangible economic benefits.
At the same time, it will be essential to ensure that the monitoring of local content mechanisms respects the objectives set, while remaining aligned with national public policies. This balance will be crucial to making the GTA project a model of sustainable development for the entire region.
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