(Ecofin Agency) - The Senegalese business school opens the first course on oil trading of the continent, in partnership with Philia SA, a company operating in the oil and gas sector, headquartered in Geneva. The idea is to train on the African continent the traders and logistics coordinators of an essential and strategic sector.

The world market for oil and its derivatives is subjected to fluctuations which have a direct impact in terms of economic and social repercussions on all continents. To support the economic development of Africa, it appears essential to develop competencies at the local level. Oil trading plays a role in price variations, from the well to the pump. Without being the only key player, the trader is the link between the producer and the consumer. Developing skills locally allows for a better visibility in the face of the uncertainty in market prices, which sometimes have a strong impact on budget estimates. It is based on this analysis that Philia SA and Sup de Co Dakar decided to create the Master’s 2 in oil trading, available to francophone Africa.

Train technical, logistics and financial coordinators

The course deals not only with current practices in the oil market and the supply chain, but also with financing operations and the regulatory framework. The Master’s in oil trading and supply chain Sup de Co Dakar – sponsored by Philia, is open to Business, Engineering, Economy or Finance postgraduates, as well as to professionals as part of in-service trainings. At the end, a degree which prepares its holder for jobs in financial markets, international trading of oil products or export import financing banks, but also in refineries or distribution companies.

An operational training

During the 350 hours of training covering 12 months, students will be put in charge of the management of a trading activity, in addition to their applied research project. “The majority of lectures will be given by managers coming from big international trading businesses in order to ensure an operational training”, indicated Daniel Ndiaye, director of the Master’s program, himself currently working as an experienced trader at Philia SA, before that credit manager of Totsa and banker with Natixis. “The school’s approach is to articulate the course around innovations which emphasise the practical aspect of teaching”. In addition to using Sup de Co’s trading room, conferences, visits and internships impart a professional aim.