Turkey and Senegal sign a strategic energy agreement for oil exploration

Turkey and Senegal have concluded a hydrocarbons cooperation agreement, including oil and gas exploration, production, and trade, strengthening Ankara's ties with emerging African economies.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Turkey is pursuing its expansion in Africa through strategic energy partnerships, thereby consolidating its access to the continent’s natural resources. On October 31, Ankara announced the signing of a hydrocarbons cooperation agreement with Senegal, a new oil producer in West Africa. This agreement covers multiple areas, including the exploration, production, and trade of oil and gas, marking a significant step in Ankara’s strategy to diversify its energy supply sources.

The meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan resulted in a “memorandum of understanding in the fields of energy and hydrocarbons,” according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar in a statement posted on social media. In addition to hydrocarbons, the agreement also provides for collaboration in the fields of renewable energy, critical minerals, and rare earths, sectors of strategic importance to Turkey’s economy.

A strengthened African strategy by Turkey

Ankara is intensifying its partnerships with African countries, such as Somalia, Niger, and now Senegal, to ensure the security of its energy supplies. In 2023, Turkey imported 31.4 million tons of crude oil, while its domestic production remains limited to 4.1 million tons. This strategy responds to Turkey’s growing energy needs, which also require a diversification of sources to reduce its dependence on traditional exporters.

Seismic activities for oil exploration are planned onshore and offshore as part of this agreement with Senegal. Turkish companies, already active in Somalia where they explore territorial waters following the withdrawal of major international companies due to political instability, are encouraged to invest in exploration operations in Senegal. The country could thus become a key player in Turkey’s energy supply.

Strategic interests: uranium, oil, and natural gas

In addition to hydrocarbons, Turkey is interested in Niger’s strategic minerals, including uranium, an essential resource for its nuclear sector. Niger, which recently realigned its alliances toward new partners after the July 2023 coup, is now a potential player for Turkish companies in the mining sector.

West Africa, and particularly Senegal, is also at the heart of Ankara’s energy ambitions. Last June, Senegal officially became an oil producer with the start of its Sangomar oil project, producing 100,000 barrels per day. This heavy oil is already exported to Asian and European markets, solidifying the country’s position as a new African energy player.

Development of Senegal’s gas sector

The imminent start of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas field, located on the border between Senegal and Mauritania, represents a new opportunity for the West African energy sector. This liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, operated in partnership with Mauritania, is expected to produce around 2.3 million tons of LNG per year in its first phase. This new development could offer Turkey an alternative path to diversify its access to gas resources, while consolidating its cooperation with Senegal.

By multiplying its partnerships in Africa, Turkey is pursuing a strategy aimed at securing increasingly crucial energy resources for its rapidly growing economy. The recent African collaborations thus mark a transformative phase in Turkey’s bilateral relations with emerging economies, strengthening its supply network for oil, gas, and strategic minerals.

Ottawa and London increased bilateral exchanges to structure strategic cooperation on nuclear energy and critical minerals supply chains, as part of Canada’s G7 presidency.
Donald Trump says he secured Narendra Modi’s commitment to end Russian oil imports, adding political pressure to India-Russia trade relations.
Under intense diplomatic pressure from Washington, member states of the International Maritime Organization agreed to postpone by one year the adoption of a carbon pricing mechanism for global maritime transport.
Washington confirms it has mandated the CIA to carry out secret actions against Nicolas Maduro’s government, escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela amid geostrategic and energy stakes.
Two European Parliament committees propose to advance the full halt of Russian hydrocarbon imports to 2026 and 2027, including oil, gas, and LNG, strengthening the European Union’s geopolitical position.
The COP30 conference hosted in the Amazon by Brazil faces low participation from global leaders, amid geopolitical tensions and major logistical challenges.
The United States has granted Trinidad and Tobago a special licence to resume negotiations with Venezuela on the Dragon gas field, partially lifting restrictions imposed on the Venezuelan energy sector.
Ambassadors of European Union member states have approved the transmission of a legislative proposal to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by January 2028 to the Council of Ministers.
The State Duma has approved Russia’s formal withdrawal from a treaty signed with the United States on the elimination of military-grade plutonium, ending over two decades of strategic nuclear cooperation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was not in Poland’s interest to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of taking part in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022.
Al-Harfi and SCLCO signed agreements with Syrian authorities to develop solar and wind capacity, amid an ongoing energy rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus.
Faced with risks to Middle Eastern supply chains, Thai and Japanese refiners are turning to US crude, backed by tariff incentives and strategies aligned with ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.
The activation of the snapback mechanism reinstates all UN sanctions on Iran, directly affecting the defence, financial and maritime trade sectors.
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen visits Greenland to expand energy ties with the European Union, amid plans to double EU funding for the 2028–2034 period.
European and Iranian foreign ministers meet in New York to try to prevent the reinstatement of UN sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a bilateral agreement with Mexico including targeted investments in energy corridors, logistics infrastructure and cross-border security.
The US president has called for an immediate end to Russian oil imports by NATO countries, denouncing a strategic contradiction as sanctions against Moscow are being considered.
Tehran withdrew a resolution denouncing attacks on its nuclear facilities, citing US pressure on IAEA members who feared suspension of Washington’s voluntary contributions.
Poland’s energy minister calls on European Union member states to collectively commit to halting Russian oil purchases within two years, citing increasing geopolitical risks.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.