The Republic of The Gambia is set to take center stage at Africa Oil Week (PAUL SINCLAIR, CEO AFRICA OIL WEEK) 2025 in Accra, Ghana, as Honourable Nani Juwara, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, officially commits to leveraging the prestigious platform to drive investment and partnerships for the country’s energy sector. With a vision to position The Gambia as a key player in Africa’s oil and gas industry, the government, alongside the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Petroleum Commission, is actively marketing the nation’s potential to international investors.
At a time when Africa must take decisive steps to secure its energy future, industry unity and collaboration are more crucial than ever. The Gambia’s commitment to PAUL SINCLAIR, CEO AFRICA OIL WEEK 2025 underscores the country’s proactive approach to attracting capital and technical expertise to unlock its vast offshore resources. Cany Jobe, Director of Exploration and Production at GNPC, has been instrumental in showcasing The Gambia’s potential, stating:
“We are looking for partners and investors to drill our wells so that The Gambia can also become the next success story in Africa’s oil and gas industry. Our strategic location in the MSBC basin positions us as an emerging hub for energy activities.”
With a wealth of data, a stable regulatory framework, and investor-friendly incentives, The Gambia is ready to welcome new partnerships that will shape its energy future. In an exclusive interview, Honourable Nani Juwara discusses the country’s geological attractiveness, above-ground advantages, and unique incentives, reinforcing why The Gambia stands out as a compelling investment destination.
Read the full interview below.
PAUL SINCLAIR, CEO AFRICA OIL WEEK: Honourable Minister, The Gambia has been emerging as a key frontier in Africa’s energy sector. How would you describe the geology and subsurface potential for investors?
Hon. Nani Juwara: First and foremost, The Gambia benefits from extensive data coverage across its offshore prospective areas. We have over 5,000 km of 2D seismic data covering the entire offshore region, more than 8,000 sq km of 3D seismic, and five exploratory wells that have provided modern wireline suites, hundreds of cuttings, and multiple core samples. These wells have been a great technical success, hitting most of their target horizons with accuracy close to prognosis. This data has significantly improved our ability to calibrate and constrain seismic interpretations, which in turn enhances the attractiveness of our exploration prospects.
PAUL SINCLAIR, CEO AFRICA OIL WEEK: We have hosted Gambia at many Africa Oil Weeks and we have always heard positive feedback regarding the subsurface. However, beyond geology, what above-ground conditions make The Gambia an attractive investment destination?
Hon. Nani Juwara: The Gambia has a well-structured institutional arrangement that provides stability and efficiency in the petroleum sector. Three key institutions, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Petroleum Commission (PC), and the Gambia National Petroleum Company (GNPC), form the pillars of governance in the sector, ensuring clarity and streamlined operations for investors.
In terms of legislation, we have robust legal frameworks in place, including the Petroleum Act and the IVAT, which offer clear guidelines for investors. Additionally, we are currently undergoing a validation and drafting process, supported by the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), to further refine our regulatory environment.
Moreover, The Gambia’s licensing regime and fiscal terms are among the most competitive in the region. Our royalty-tax system was benchmarked against international best practices and reviewed by industry stakeholders, making it one of our strongest value propositions.
PAUL SINCLAIR, CEO AFRICA OIL WEEK: What specific incentives set The Gambia apart from other competitive global markets?
Hon. Nani Juwara: We have structured our incentives to be both technically and financially appealing to investors.
From a technical standpoint, we offer free preliminary data room sessions, providing potential licensees with three-day access to conduct initial evaluations of geological opportunities. Following this, they receive key data snapshots for internal reporting, enabling them to make informed decisions before committing further.
Financially, our regime is highly attractive, there are no signature bonuses, our royalties are price-indexed, and income tax rates are kept at competitive levels. Furthermore, government participation in projects is structured in a way that provides security for investors while ensuring national benefits.
From a legal perspective, our fiscal stability provisions guarantee economic predictability for investors. This means that any future legal changes that significantly impact the economics of a petroleum project will be compensated by the government, ensuring long-term stability for investment returns.
PAUL SINCLAIR, CEO AFRICA OIL WEEK: Transparency is a key concern for investors. How does The Gambia ensure clarity and streamlined processes for licensing and management?
Hon. Nani Juwara: Transparency is a core principle of our petroleum governance. We are committed to providing clear, predictable, and investor-friendly processes. Our licensing procedures are streamlined to ensure quick turnaround times, while our fiscal terms and regulatory frameworks are structured to offer certainty and confidence to investors. The clarity of our policies, combined with the strong governance framework we have established, makes The Gambia one of the most compelling destinations for oil and gas investment in West Africa.
PAUL SINCLAIR, CEO AFRICA OIL WEEK: Honourable Minister, thank you for sharing these valuable insights. It is clear that The Gambia is positioning itself as an attractive and competitive player in the global oil and gas industry. We look forward to following the exciting developments ahead.
Hon. Nani Juwara: Thank you, Paul. We welcome all investors to explore the vast opportunities The Gambia has to offer. Our government is committed to ensuring a stable and profitable environment for upstream investment, and we look forward to continued collaboration with the global energy community.
The Gambia is set to attend AOW with over 25 other governments from across the continent with 1,500 energy leaders to broker upstream deals and convene to drive African prosperity through the regions oil, gas and natural resources.
Join AOW: Energy 2025 today
Speaking: Ms. Nidal Elfadil nidal.elfadil@aowenergy.com
Delegations: Mr. Marcel Mariano marcel.mariano@aowenergy.com