Mauritania, Senegal Examine Boosting Energy Ties, GTA Project

The Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled, co-chaired a ministerial coordination meeting on Thursday in Nouakchott alongside his Senegalese counterpart, Mr. El Hadj Abdourahmane Diouf. The meeting was dedicated to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and reviewing the development prospects of the joint Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project.

At the opening of the session, the Mauritanian minister welcomed the Senegalese delegation on their working visit to Mauritania, emphasizing that the meeting reflects the strength of the fraternal relations and strategic partnership uniting the two countries under the leadership of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, and the President of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

He noted that Mauritania and Senegal are bound by deep historical, geographical, and human ties that provide a solid foundation for developing exemplary and sustainable cooperation. He added that the energy sector has become one of the foremost areas of integration and partnership between the two nations.

Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled affirmed that the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim project represents a strategic venture and a symbol of the ability of both States to transform their shared resources into tangible opportunities for development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth. He stressed the need to maintain and strengthen technical coordination in order to maximize the project’s benefits.

The minister also called for joint reflection on the most effective ways to enhance the value of the project’s resources, particularly through the domestic utilization of gas, electricity generation, and the development of energy infrastructure, within a context marked by growing global demand for liquefied natural gas and rapid transformations in the energy sector.

Furthermore, he praised the efforts made by experts and technicians from both countries, stating that the project’s success testifies to the competence of Mauritanian and Senegalese professionals and their ability to support major strategic initiatives.

For his part, the Senegalese Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. El Hadj Abdourahmane Diouf, thanked the Mauritanian authorities for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation, while highlighting the excellence of the fraternal relations between the two countries.

He stressed that the meeting is fully aligned with the shared vision of the leaders of both States and underscored the strategic importance of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim project, which is widely regarded as a successful model of energy cooperation at the African level.

The Senegalese minister also addressed the technical issues on the agenda, notably the project to connect the Senegalese gas network to the GTA project’s infrastructure. He called for a coordinated approach that takes into account technical and economic requirements, as well as the commitments of all stakeholders, including the company responsible for operating the project.

In conclusion, he expressed confidence that the ongoing discussions would further strengthen coordination between the two countries and harmonize their respective visions regarding the future of the project, thereby ensuring the sustainability of its success and enhancing its contribution to the economic and social development of Mauritania and Senegal.