The Algerian energy giant continues its continental expansion strategy. Already firmly established in Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Benin and Mauritania, the Sonelgaz group is now targeting the Senegalese market.

The signing of two memorandums of understanding with Senelec this Saturday marks a new step in African energy integration led by Algeria.

Algeria is accelerating its economic diplomacy in Africa. On Saturday, October 3, the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Dr. Mourad Adjal, received his Senegalese counterpart, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf. At the heart of the discussions: the transfer of Algerian expertise and support for Senegal in developing its electricity and gas infrastructure.

Sonelgaz, the spearhead of Algerian energy diplomacy

The dynamic is clear. Algeria no longer settles for exporting its hydrocarbons; it now exports its engineering. After multiplying partnerships and infrastructure projects with Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Benin and Mauritania, Sonelgaz has set its sights on West Africa.

During this high-level meeting, Dr. Mourad Adjal reiterated Algiers’ willingness to support Senegal across the entire value chain: from electricity production to gas distribution, including the manufacturing of electrical equipment and the training of executives.

Natural gas, the new stake in cooperation with Senelec

Senegal, which is about to join the very select club of gas-producing countries, is looking for experienced partners to develop its resources. This is where Sonelgaz’s expertise becomes a major asset. Discussions largely focused on electricity production from natural gas, a field where Algeria excels.

This desire to pool skills materialized through the signing of two memorandums of understanding between the Sonelgaz group and Senelec (Senegal’s national electricity company). These agreements cover:

• Skills transfer and technical assistance;
• Manufacturing and marketing of electrical equipment;
• Development of energy infrastructure;
• Strengthening electrical interconnection.

Senegal bets on a “reliable partner”

For Dakar, the choice of Algeria is no accident. The Senegalese minister, El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf, described Algeria as a “reliable partner on which Senegal will rely in the next stage”. Praising Algerian expertise, he recalled that energy remains the strategic engine of his country’s development.

This alliance fits perfectly into the vision of a mutually beneficial South-South cooperation. By relying on a continental champion like Sonelgaz, Senegal hopes to accelerate its energy independence while benefiting from optimized development costs.

A government agreement expected in Dakar in December

Sonelgaz’s Senegalese offensive is only in its early stages. This fruitful meeting in Algiers lays the groundwork for an even broader political and economic partnership. The two countries have already scheduled a meeting: a comprehensive government agreement in the field of energy and renewable energies will be signed in Dakar in early December.

With this new deployment, the Sonelgaz group confirms its ambition to become the undisputed leader in electricity and gas on the African continent, thus consolidating Algeria’s position as a regional energy power.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter