President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has praised Sahara Group for its enduring commitment to the country’s energy sector, describing the pan-African energy company as a trusted partner that has consistently supported Senegal’s energy security objectives through its relationship with Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR).
The commendation came during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Dakar on Saturday, where President Faye received a delegation from Sahara Group led by Executive Director Wale Ajibade, alongside SAR Managing Director Mamadou Abib Diop.
During the engagement, President Faye acknowledged Sahara’s passion for Africa, its Pan-African vision and its sustained support for Senegal’s energy ambitions over the years. “We appreciate Sahara’s dynamism, flexibility and constructive partnership with SAR, particularly its support in helping secure the country’s energy requirements amid challenging global market conditions,” the President said.
Ajibade expressed appreciation for the President’s recognition and reaffirmed Sahara’s commitment to working with stakeholders across Senegal’s energy ecosystem to support energy access, supply reliability and economic growth. “Senegal has been an important partner for Sahara over the years, and we remain committed to deploying our expertise, infrastructure, financing capabilities and operational experience in ways that support the country’s energy ambitions,” he said.
Ajibade noted that Sahara’s engagement in Senegal extends beyond its shareholding in SAR and reflects the company’s broader commitment to advancing energy access, industrial development and sustainable economic growth across Africa.
SAR Managing Director Mamadou Abib Diop described Sahara as a reliable, long-term partner that has made significant investments in Senegal and continues to play an important role in supporting the country’s energy sector. “Sahara Energy has invested significantly in Senegal over the years and remains a major and reliable partner. We are focused on strengthening our collaboration with Sahara to provide Senegal with greater flexibility in addressing the needs of the energy sector,” Diop said.
He highlighted Sahara’s support for SAR’s crude oil supply requirements and noted that the company has consistently demonstrated its willingness to work alongside Senegalese stakeholders to help navigate prevailing market challenges.
The meeting reflected the strong and productive relationship between Senegal, SAR and Sahara Group, and underscored a shared commitment to strengthening energy security, enhancing supply resilience, and supporting the country’s long-term development objectives.
Sahara Group, which has operations across Africa in power, oil and gas trading, refining and distribution, has maintained a strategic partnership with SAR for over a decade, supporting the Senegalese refinery’s crude sourcing and product supply needs through various market cycles.