The Gambia government has signed a major petroleum exploration agreement with Eni Gambia Ltd, a subsidiary of Italian energy multinational Eni S.p.A., marking a significant step in the country’s search for offshore oil and gas resources.

The agreement, signed on 5 June 2026, grants Eni exploration rights over Offshore Block A1, a deep-water block located off The Gambia’s Atlantic coast and considered one of the country’s most promising petroleum prospects.

Announcing the development, the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines described the agreement as a major milestone in efforts to attract credible international investment into The Gambia’s upstream petroleum sector.

According to the ministry, the deal follows years of engagement, including data room assessments, pre-qualification exercises, and technical and commercial negotiations coordinated by the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia.

Block A1 covers approximately 1,300 square kilometres and lies in water depths of up to 3,300 metres.

Authorities said the area is located within a geological zone where significant hydrocarbon discoveries have already been made in neighbouring countries.

The government will retain a 10 per cent carried interest in the block through the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation during the exploration phase.

Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Nani Juwara, described the agreement as a defining moment for the country’s energy sector.

“The signing of this Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production Licence Agreement with Eni is a proud and defining moment for The Gambia’s energy sector,” he said.

Mr. Juwara added that the agreement demonstrates international confidence in The Gambia’s resource potential and investment climate.

“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 responsibly find it.”

The Director General of the Petroleum Commission of The Gambia, Gany Jobe, said the agreement was the result of a deliberate and transparent licensing process.

“The signing of the Block A1 PEPLA with Eni is the result of a deliberate, evidence-based and institution-led licensing process.”

He said the agreement strengthens The Gambia’s position as an emerging frontier petroleum destination with strong geological prospects and a clear regulatory framework.

The government said Eni was selected following a rigorous process and cited the company’s experience in deep-water exploration across Africa, including operations in Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, Angola and Namibia.

Headquartered in Rome, Eni operates in more than 60 countries worldwide and is regarded as one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies.

Officials stressed that the agreement does not mean oil has been discovered in The Gambia, but rather gives Eni the right to conduct exploration activities to determine whether commercially viable petroleum resources exist within the block.

If successful, the exploration programme could open a new chapter in The Gambia’s energy sector and potentially transform the country’s economic outlook.

By Adama Makasuba