BY ALIU MUKAILA LANRE
Energy Capital & Power (ECP), organizers of West Africa’s premier energy event, the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power Conference & Exhibition, is pleased to announce that the third edition of the event will take place in Mauritania on 21-22 November 2023 under the Patronage of H.E Mohamed Ould Cheik Ghazouani, President of the Republic of Mauritania in partnership with Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, the Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures Et De Patrimoine Minier (SMHPM), Petrosen, Cos Petrogaz and the African Energy Chamber
Announced by H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, and H.E. Sophie Gladima, Minister of Petroleum and Energies of the Republic of Senegal, during the final day of MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 on 2 September, MSGBC 2023 will unite industry leaders, policymakers, investors, government leaders, and local stakeholders for two days of keynote speeches, presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions, and networking sessions, while encouraging investment and deal-making in every part of the MSGBC region’s energy value chains.
Under the theme, “Scaling Energy Opportunities in Africa’s New Frontier,” MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2023 will showcase and promote natural gas development and its role in the global energy transition, as well as position the region as an energy hub for gas, renewables and green hydrogen.
For its part, 2023 promises to be a transformative year for the MSGBC region, with a number of developments emerging across the entire energy value chain. Senegal, for example, is set to kickstart production at the 100,000 barrel per day Sangomar oil project while first production of the 2.5 million ton per annum (mtpa) Phase 1 of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project is slated for 2024. Additionally, following the launch of the country’s first major licensing round in 2020, the country is planning a second, potentially larger round. On the green energy front, investors are turning their eyes to the country’s solar and wind potential, building on the success of the country’s landmark 158MW Taiba N’Diaye wind project.
Meanwhile, MSGBC 2023 host nation Mauritania, under a broader agenda of establishing the country as a regional green energy integrated hub and enabling green steel industry, is driving a strong slate of projects spanning the hydrocarbon and green hydrogen landscape, with plans to integrate the burgeoning energy industry with various other sectors such as mining. In addition to the GTA, developed in collaboration with Senegal, the country is hoping to build on recently launched projects such as the 10 mtpa BirAllah Liquefied Natural Gas development while twin GW-scale green hydrogen projects promise new opportunities for clean energy growth.
Also on an upstream drive, The Gambia is approaching its second licensing round, with bidding for these blocks expected to see interest from international firms following the announcement by FAR of a potential 1.5 billion barrels of oil unearthed in Gambian blocks A2 and A5 in 2022. While the country’s hydrocarbon market is in its early stages, opportunities across renewables are also expanding, with the country boasting over 50% share of renewables in its energy mix.
Similarly, Guinea-Bissau is driving renewables development having mobilized $700 million towards a 2030 energy transformation under its Sustainable Energy Investment Plan. To this effect, the country recently opened up five blocks for bidding under a special deepwater round while focus placed on electrification has made a strong case for foreign investment in renewables.
Finally, in Guinea-Conakry, potential for growth across the mining, agriculture and fishery industries has led to renewed interest in the energy sector, with new projects constantly being launched across the solar and hydropower markets.
Stepping into this picture, the two-day event will showcase gas monetization strategies in the region and how West Africa can use its natural resources to promote socio-economic development, universal electrification and cross-border cooperation. A wide range of technical and strategic sessions will focus on discussion topics including youth empowerment, women in energy, regional development, gas as a transition energy, the latest developments in exploration and new licensing round opportunities, and more.
With the landmark GTA and Sangomar oil field and associated gas developments set to begin production by 2023 and 2024, respectively, the MSGBC region is well-positioned to take advantage of the basin’s immense energy resources to enable the development of the member-countries’ respective extractive industries and encourage local players to tap into an additional market share.
Driven by the need to meet an increasing global demand for strategic minerals required for electric vehicles and the development of renewable energy, West Africa is seen as a prime destination for investors to expand operations within the area, while a well-established mining industry and extractive sector has served to integrate the development of local content and attract foreign direct investment.
The 2023 conference agenda has been designed to cover the full spectrum of the energy value chain, thus ensuring an inclusive and diverse schedule that promotes investment while driving discussions and encouraging participation in the MSGBC region’s energy sector. By participating at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2023, stakeholders will gain access to critical insights into current and emerging sectors, while gaining a deeper understanding of the range of opportunities present across the regional energy landscape.
