• Senegal and Nigeria deepen cooperation on gas, refining, and energy policy

• Talks build on existing regional frameworks like the West African Power Pool

• Intra-regional energy trade remains limited across West Africa

Senegal and Nigeria have begun aligning their energy strategies following official talks held in Abuja, as both countries look to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key segments of the sector.

According to a statement released April 4 by Senegal’s Ministry of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines, the discussions form part of a broader effort to deepen ties between the two countries.

The talks, which involved Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd), focused on identifying synergies in areas such as natural gas development, refining, and the design and alignment of energy policies.

The initiative follows a working visit to Nigeria by Senegal’s energy minister, Birame Soulèye Diop, who also discussed technical and institutional experience-sharing with Nigerian authorities.

A partnership rooted in regional frameworks

The renewed cooperation builds on existing regional structures. Both Senegal and Nigeria are members of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), a system designed to interconnect national electricity grids across member states.

According to WAPP documentation, the mechanism aims to facilitate cross-border electricity trade and improve the use of available generation capacity. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also identified energy market integration as a key priority to expand access to electricity and strengthen regional energy security.

Limited energy trade within the region

The push for closer coordination comes at a time when energy trade within West Africa remains limited. Data published in March 2026 by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) shows that only 8.5% of the region’s electricity production was exchanged between neighboring countries between 2018 and 2023.

In the oil sector, intra-regional trade is also modest. According to the State of African Energy 2026 Outlook published in September 2025 by the African Energy Chamber (AEC), trade in crude oil and refined petroleum products within West Africa accounts for just 10% to 15% of total consumption.

At the same time, ECOWAS noted in its updated Energy Outlook 2024 that regional market integration continues to face constraints, particularly in infrastructure and coordination among states.

In this context, the AEC said in an April 2 analysis that bilateral partnerships can help strengthen intra-African energy trade. As early as March 2022, Ecofin Agency had reported Nigeria’s intention to support Senegal in developing local content in its oil and gas sector.

Abdel-Latif Boureima