In a strategic appointment aimed at bolstering The Gambia’s nascent petroleum sector, President Adama Barrow has named renowned petroleum engineer and energy expert Cany Jobe as the new Director General of the Petroleum Commission. The move positions one of the country’s most accomplished professionals to lead the regulatory body responsible for overseeing upstream and midstream petroleum activities under the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
Jobe, a trailblazer in Africa’s energy landscape, brings nearly 18 years of global experience to the role. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment as The Gambia seeks to attract international investment and explore its offshore hydrocarbon potential in the prolific MSGBC Basin, shared with Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry. Recent significant discoveries in neighboring Senegal have heightened regional interest, positioning The Gambia as a promising frontier for exploration.
A trained petroleum engineer, Jobe holds a Master of Engineering in Oil and Gas from the University of Western Australia, an Accredited Master of Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, and a B.Sc. in Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering & Management from the National Taipei University of Technology in Taiwan. Her career spans technical fieldwork on oil rigs, project management, and senior leadership across China, Taiwan, Venezuela, Australia, and The Gambia.
Jobe began her professional journey with summer internships at the Chinese Petroleum Corporation in Taiwan during her undergraduate studies. She joined the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in August 2008, rising through the ranks to become the first Director of Exploration and Production. In that capacity, she advised the government on exploration initiatives, negotiated joint ventures with international oil companies, and contributed significantly to regulatory reforms, such as downstream regulations. She also authored the 2023 National LPG strategy as an ECOWAS Consultant.
Beyond her technical expertise, Jobe has been a prominent advocate for sustainable development, local content, and gender equity in the energy sector. She is a regular speaker at key forums, including the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power Conference. She has been recognized with numerous honors, including inclusion in the Choiseul 100 Africa Laureates 2025, the Industry Pioneer Award at the 2025 MSGBC Conference, and features on the Pan African Power List and the Top 100 Career Women in Africa. She was also named a National STEM Icon in The Gambia and one of 23 Global Women Leaders by Global Media Group’s NBC Washington Series.
The Petroleum Commission plays a vital role in licensing, resource management, compliance, and coordination of onshore and offshore activities. With several investment blocks available and ongoing efforts to de-risk prospects through data acquisition, Jobe’s leadership is expected to strengthen regulatory frameworks, build institutional capacity, and balance investor interests with national priorities.
In an interview with The Alkamba Times following the announcement, Jobe expressed gratitude for the appointment. “I am grateful to His Excellency President Adama Barrow for the trust placed in me and for the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” she said. She emphasized her focus on “strengthening regulatory systems, building institutional capacity, reinforcing transparency and ensuring that the sector is managed responsibly and in the long-term interest of the Gambian people.” Jobe pledged to collaborate closely with the Ministry, stakeholders, and technical teams to deliver sustainable value from any future petroleum development.
Born and raised in The Gambia, Jobe attended St Joseph’s Ex Pupils’ Primary School, Ndow’s Comprehensive JSS, and Gambia Methodist Academy, where she served as Head Girl and excelled in academics, debates, and quizzes. A child prodigy, she received the maiden Trust Bank Gambia Millennium Excellence Award in 2000 at age 14 for topping national exams.
Industry observers hail the appointment as a strong signal of President Barrow’s commitment to placing experienced, forward-thinking leaders in critical institutions, boosting investor confidence in The Gambia’s energy future.
