Gambia Petroleum Commission Director General Kenny Jobe will join industry leaders at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris this week, focusing on one of West Africa’s most promising frontier exploration markets. As global investors increasingly look to diversify portfolios and secure early-stage opportunities, The Gambia is re-emerging as a compelling play within the MSGBC Basin – one of the most active hydrocarbon regions worldwide.
At IAE 2026, the country will be featured in a dedicated MSGBC Spotlight session, highlighting basin-wide developments and the increasing alignment between emerging and producing markets. With production already underway in neighboring Senegal and Mauritania, attention is turning to less explored acreage to the south, where The Gambia represents one of the last true first-mover opportunities.
Jobe is also expected to contribute to the high-level discussion on de-risking marginal acreage – an increasingly important topic as investors assess geological potential against regulatory, technical and commercial uncertainties.
Recent efforts to enhance the country's energy ecosystem are already reshaping investor sentiment. The launch of a new petroleum testing laboratory in 2026 is an important step towards strengthening regulatory oversight and operational standards, strengthening trust in the value chain. Additionally, the government has moved to reallocate and boost open acreage, indicating renewed upstream momentum after a period of limited activity. In March 2026, officials confirmed that new exploration licenses had been granted to three companies in the open blocks.
This progress is based on significant resource potential. Offshore Blocks A1 and A4, located along a geological trend similar to Senegal's producing fields, benefit from extensive seismic data and proximity to existing infrastructure, providing the potential for cost-effective development through tiebacks and shared services. Additional blocks including A2 and A5 have historically attracted strong industry interest, with estimates pointing to substantial de-risked potential resources.
Importantly, The Gambia's position within the MSGBC basin strengthens its overall investment case. Recent years have seen increased activity in the basin due to major discoveries and increased capital deployment by international oil companies. As global players seek to replenish reserves and diversify supply, West Africa is playing an increasingly important role in the global energy landscape.
As the discussion in Paris turns towards energy security, supply diversification and frontier opportunity, The Gambia is placing itself firmly within that narrative. With improving regulatory clarity, new available acreage and strong geological fundamentals, the country is moving from potential to a clear investment proposition.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.