Sangomar et GTA : Pourquoi la découverte de l'or noir ne suffira pas à sauver l'économie sénégalaise
The discovery of oil and gas off the coast of Senegal marks a historic milestone for the country. While geologists have long discussed this potential, the reality of production now opens up immense economic prospects, while also posing major strategic challenges. A guest on the program "Jury du Dimanche" (JDD) on Iradio, engineer Modibo Diop, a graduate of the École Polytechnique, analyzed this new situation: "The oil and gas discoveries are excellent news for Senegal. They offer significant opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and public revenue." Projects such as the Sangomar oil field and the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project, shared with Mauritania, illustrate this regional energy potential.
The technical challenge of local refining
However, according to the expert, extraction is only part of the equation. To transform this resource into sustainable development, Senegal must absolutely adapt its refining infrastructure. Modibo Diop highlights a specific technical constraint: Senegalese oil contains a relatively high sulfur content. "We have oil, but we don't yet have all the technical capacity to refine it entirely in Senegal. Some of it still has to be exported for processing elsewhere," he laments, advocating for a national technological upgrade.
Change of course: from Macky Sall to Bassirou Diomaye Faye
The management of these resources is closely tied to political decisions at the highest levels of government. Under President Macky Sall, the strategy relied primarily on international partnerships and foreign investment. With the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a new approach is emerging, emphasizing national sovereignty and the increased role of state-owned enterprises.
“It is the vision of public policy that defines how a country exploits its resources. Each regime brings its own vision of development,” explains Modibo Diop. Beyond national borders, he advocates for continental integration, citing the exemplary cooperation with Mauritania: “One country alone is not enough. Energy resources must be exploited through cooperation between African countries.”
Energy as a geopolitical weapon
Oil is not just an accounting resource; it is a lever of global power. The engineer points out that major powers scrutinize strategic routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz. "Oil is a weapon of power. If supplies stop, the entire global economy could be paralyzed," he warns. This global vulnerability underscores the importance for Senegal of securing its own supply chains.
Beyond rent-seeking: building real development
To ensure that oil truly benefits the population, the expert recommends four key actions: massive investment in refining, support for local industry, training a skilled workforce of technicians and engineers, and strengthening regional diplomatic ties. According to him, raw wealth is an illusion if it is not properly managed. "A country's true wealth lies not only in its resources, but also in how it organizes them for development," concludes the guest of the JDD.
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