Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye opened the 2025 MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference in Dakar with a strong call for African energy sovereignty and regional integration. Addressing investors, he declared that "Africa is ready," stressing that investment should go beyond resource extraction to create jobs, build industries and foster innovation.
The opening ceremony also featured Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim of the African Petroleum Producers' Organization, who urged leaders to reduce dependence on foreign players by building regional centers of excellence. Eng. Mohamed Hamel of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum highlighted recent milestones such as first oil from Sangomar in 2024 and first gas from Greater Tortue Ahmeyim later that year, describing them as catalysts for industrialization and prosperity.
Speakers emphasized that Africa must move past its role as a supplier of raw materials and instead harness the MSGBC basin as a driver of inclusive growth, stability and innovation. NJ Ayuk of the African Energy Chamber reinforced the need to make investment the cornerstone of regional development.
President Faye concluded by urging participants to turn dialogue into action, positioning the 2025 edition of the conference as a turning point for energy autonomy and shared prosperity across West Africa.