Now all Senegals want natural gas – the country dreams of a lot of money

It’s a spectacle. Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Portugal are all competing for natural gas from Senegal and Mauritania after Russian President Vladimir Putin, 70, cut off the gas supply. These countries in turn supply Switzerland. An opportunity for Senegal. It is highly indebted, has to pay off expensive loans and the rising cost of living is a problem.

In 2014, a significant natural gas deposit was found under the seabed on the border between Senegal and Mauritania. Since then, both countries have been working on the exploitation and expect billions in revenue. Natural gas must be produced for at least thirty years, with energy giants BP and Kosmos sharing the profits, as are the Senegalese and Mauritanian governments. A large part of the systems, the GTA gas platform, is already in place. A consortium led by BP plans to start producing gas next year.

“The gas is a huge opportunity”

Thierno Seydou Ly of the Senegalese state oil and gas company Petrosen tells Der Spiegel: “The gas is a huge opportunity for our country.” Negotiations are underway with the German energy supplier Uniper. In fact, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64) visited Senegal in May and spoke of a “turning point”. The DPA news agency quoted him as saying that it makes sense to ‘follow closely’ cooperation in gas extraction.

However, according to several reports, local fishermen are complaining. Part of the coast is closed due to the construction of the gas plant. Environmental protection organization Greenpeace also warns of an incalculable risk to the ecosystem, as there are important marine protection areas not far from the gas plant. In addition, the German chancellor has been criticized for only recently stating that the government wanted to move away from fossil fuels.

“Equal Partner in Europe”

Tobias Haller (57), director of the Institute of Social Anthropology at the University of Bern, says in principle about Senegal: “There are certainly worse situations to get something out of it.” However, the question is what this means for the environment and what ultimately benefits the population. Because according to Haller, fisheries and ecosystems are linked. The director of the institute tells Chancellor Scholz: “The contradiction is in the current events.” Politicians wanted to be re-elected.

Christoph Kannengiesser (59), director of the German-African Business Association, says: “Gas was always intended as a bridging technology.” Nothing changes if it comes from Senegal instead of Russia. Moreover, “as with all major infrastructure projects it is inevitable” that civil society will also be affected. “Senegal can initially be seen as an equal partner in energy cooperation with Europe.” The government of President Macky Sall is prepared to export liquefied natural gas, but makes it clear that the development of the country comes first. “This is a milestone not only for Senegal, but for the entire continent.”