Gambia

The Gambia's national oil company (NOC), Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has urged regional NOCs in West Africa to partner on accelerating exploration across the country's onshore acreage.

The call was made by Cany Jobe, Director of Exploration and Production at GNPC, during the Leveraging Frontier Discoveries for Growth in West Africa panel at MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 in Dakar on December 9.

“We are looking for partners to help us de-risk the onshore and bolster regional collaboration with NOCs, including Petrosen,” Jobe said, adding, “Onshore is where we are lagging, and we do not have much data there.”

Petrosen – Senegal's NOC – noted that less than 10% of the MSGBC Basin has been explored and highlighted efforts to expand activities into deeper waters, where additional 3D seismic data is required.

“We see a lot of similarity in our basin with other world-class basins throughout the world, which gives us a lot of confidence,” said Abu Mbengue, Director of Exploration and Promotion, Petrosen E&P.

Mauritania's NOC, Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH), underscored the country's track record of 11 oil and gas discoveries from more than 80 wells onshore and offshore. The NOC emphasized the scale of recent data acquisition, with over 100,000 km² of 3D seismic data now available.

“If you see the offshore of Mauritania, all petroleum systems are working well,” said Hammadi EL Hadji, Exploration Director, SMH. “The MSGBC basin is one of the greatest basins in the world and we have immense potential regarding oil and gas.”

Energy data and intelligence firm TGS – which holds one of the world's largest multi-client libraries of geophysical and geological data – announced that it is preparing new vessels for deployment in West Africa. The company is also introducing low-frequency data sources to enhance data richness and resolution.

“Seismic is our business and we are very much built in the multi-client model,” said Robert Holden, Vice President – Africa, Mediterranean and Middle East, TGS, adding, “We also have enhancements in satellites, storage and cloud technologies.”

Elsewhere in the MSGBC region, Guinea-Bissau is experiencing renewed offshore exploration activity, driven by entries from major international companies including Apus Energy. The company holds the shallow-water Sinapa and Esperança licenses, where a well was drilled in 2024 and a potential follow-up well is under consideration for 2027.

“We have embarked on a journey to deliver a well offshore Guinea-Bissau,” said Michael Mosesyan, Drilling Manager at Apus Energy. “While we have not hit the same volumes as the Sangomar oil field, we did encounter some oil plays in the Sinapa and Esperança licenses.”

Building on the Sangomar oilfield in Senegal and the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG development along the Senegal-Mauritania maritime border, the MSGBC Basin has seen substantial growth in offshore investment. As operator of the GTA project, bp confirmed it is working with both governments to deliver Phase 2, with start-up targeted for 2027.

“In terms of future phases, bp, its partners and the governments of Senegal and Mauritania are working together to unlock the next phase in the best possible way,” said Mariama Ndao, Deputy Country Manager-Senegal, bp. “We are laser-focused in our mission to deliver the next chapter of the GTA project.”

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The 25th Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC25) has opened in Banjul, The Gambia, with a clear call for African countries to scale up innovation and reinforce political commitment to protect and restore Africa's forests and wildlife.

Delegates from across the continent are attending the week-long meeting, organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of The Gambia, under the theme Innovative and Inclusive Forest and Wildlife Resources Management for Africa.

Against a backdrop of rising climate risks, accelerating biodiversity loss, and growing demand for forest products, AFWC25 aims to strengthen collective action on sustainable forest and wildlife management and guide FAO's technical support in the coming biennium.

In his opening address, H.E. Muhammed B. S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, welcomed delegates and emphasised the country's commitment to environmental stewardship.

“Hosting this important Africa Forestry and Wildlife Commission meeting here in Banjul is both a privilege and a statement of intent,” he said. “It is a clear message that The Gambia positions firmly among the nations of Africa that have chosen to protect, not exploit; to restore, not destroy; and to act, not just talk about our environment.”

He highlighted significant reforms undertaken in recent years, including the National Forest Policy (2023–2032), strengthened national institutions, and decisive actions against illegal logging.

“My government took a bold and irreversible step to ban all timber exports, revoke all illegal felling permits, and disrupt the cross-border trafficking of rosewood that was devastating our environment,” he said. “Forest degradation has slowed, reforestation is increasing, and community forestry programmes continue to expand across the country.”

The Vice President also underscored the central role of partnerships, especially with FAO: “FAO's support has been consistent in community forestry programmes, mangrove restoration, biodiversity protection, forest management and capacity strengthening across the sector.”

FAO calls for integrated action to unlock the full potential of Africa's forests

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, commended The Gambia for its achievements and reaffirmed FAO's commitment to supporting African Member States as they work to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of forests and wildlife.

“FAO continues to work with countries to unlock the potential of forests, trees and wildlife in transforming agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind,” he said.

He also emphasised the urgency of coordinated action across sectors: “The challenge before us, notably climate change, biodiversity loss, wildfires, and land degradation, continue to impact economies, agrifood systems and livelihoods. This reality underscores the urgency of our shared responsibility,” he stressed.

The Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources of The Gambia, Hon. Rohey John Manjang, underscored the importance of forests and wildlife to the nation's environmental and cultural heritage, highlighting that community-based forest management models now cover over 30 percent of the country's forest estate.

Drawing attention to the global importance of Africa's forests and wildlife, the Chairperson of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), Pierre Taty, highlighted key initiatives driving progress across the continent, including the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme, which supports over 400 million people who rely on wild meat for nutrition. He noted that while African countries have pledged to restore more than 100 million hectares of degraded land, under 9 percent has been restored to date, emphasising the need to accelerate efforts through the newly proclaimed UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027–2036). He urged delegates to deliver strong recommendations to guide the work of COFO and FAO in the years ahead.

The outcomes of AFWC25 will feed into the 28th Session of the Committee on Forestry and the 34th FAO Regional Conference for Africa in 2026.

AFWC25 at a glance

Throughout the week, AFWC25 delegates will examine key forestry and wildlife priorities for the continent, including:

innovative financing mechanisms for forestry and wildlife;

sustainable management of forests and wildlife in Small Island Developing States;

strengthening cross-sectoral linkages for resilient agrifood systems;

sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches; and

the interconnection between forestry, wildlife, forest foods and agrifood systems.

In parallel, the Ninth African Forestry and Wildlife Week (AFWW9) will feature a series of side events and exhibitions led by The Gambia, showcasing national achievements in forest and wildlife management. These events will highlight innovative approaches to community forestry, progress in biodiversity protection, and successful models of ecosystem restoration, while offering a platform for delegates to explore practical solutions that can be adapted and scaled across Africa.

Delegates will also participate in a field excursion to observe local forestry and wildlife initiatives first-hand.

About the AFWC

Established in 1959, the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission is one of FAO's Regional Forestry Commissions. It provides a platform for African countries to review progress, share experiences, and guide FAO's technical support on sustainable forest and wildlife management.

AFWC25 is taking place from 1–5 December 2025 in Banjul, The Gambia.

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See more on the AFWC25 website. Follow #AFWC25.