By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
The Government of The Gambia has signed a Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production License Agreement (PEPLA) for the promising Offshore Block A1 with Eni Gambia Ltd, a subsidiary of the Italian energy major Eni S.p.A. The agreement, signed today at Petroleum House in Banjul, represents a major boost to the country’s efforts to develop its upstream petroleum sector and attract high-caliber international investment.
The deal follows years of careful preparation by the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia, including data room presentations, pre-qualification processes, and detailed technical and commercial negotiations. Block A1 spans 1,300 square kilometers in the deep waters of the Atlantic Margin, with depths reaching up to 3,300 meters. The block lies in a geologically prospective region adjacent to areas with proven hydrocarbon discoveries, and existing geophysical and geological studies indicate significant exploration potential.
Under the agreement, the Gambian State will hold a 10% equity interest in the block, carried by the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) through the exploration phase. This structure allows the country to participate in any future success without bearing upfront exploration costs.
Hon. Nani Juwara, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, described the signing as “a proud and defining moment” for The Gambia’s energy sector.
“The signing of this agreement with Eni reflects the confidence that a world-class operator has placed in our country’s resource potential and in the credibility of our investment climate,” Minister Juwara said. “The government, under the leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, is committed to ensuring that every step of this exploration journey is conducted with environmental responsibility and with the long-term interests of the Gambian people at its center. We enter this chapter with measured optimism – not as a nation that has already found oil, but as a nation that has created the right conditions to find it responsibly.”
Engr. Cany Jobe, Director General of the Petroleum Commission, highlighted the rigorous process behind the deal.
“This signing is the result of a deliberate, evidence-based, and institution-led licensing process,” he stated. “Through effective management of the national data room, international promotion, pre-qualification and negotiations, we have presented The Gambia’s hydrocarbon assets credibly and competitively. This reinforces our position as an emerging frontier jurisdiction with strong geological potential and a clear regulatory framework. We look forward to working closely with Eni as they begin their exploration program.”
The agreement marks Eni’s entry into Gambian waters and is expected to trigger new seismic and drilling activities in the coming years. Industry observers view the deal as a vote of confidence in The Gambia’s maturing petroleum governance and its potential to join the ranks of West African hydrocarbon producers.
