AfrOil: Germany, Senegal focus on prospects for gas co-operation

Natural gas projects were among the key items on the agenda at a meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Senegalese President Macky Sall.

Scholz, who kicked off his first state visit to Africa on May 22, said Germany was very keen on working with Senegal to develop local gas fields, produce LNG and make use of renewable energy resources. “It is a matter worth pursuing intensively,” he said at a press conference with Sall in Dakar.

The German chancellor did not say whether Germany was interested in any particular projects. However, he said Berlin and Dakar had an interest in expanding co-operation. This appears to have been a reference to Germany’s hope – and, more broadly, the EU’s hope – of reducing dependence on Russian crude oil and natural gas imports.

Sall indicated that his government was ready to work with Germany to promote co-operation in the gas arena. With regard to exploration, project financing and other matters, he said, “all that is open, and we are keen to work with Germany in this context.”