Senegal and Zimbabwe grapple with energy sovereignty amid financing limits

During the “Africa Takes Power” discussion at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, policymakers from Senegal and Zimbabwe described their strategies to increase control over domestic energy assets while confronting limited financing. Senegal, which began oil production at the Sangomar field and gas flow from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project, intends to use gas for power generation to cut reliance on imported petroleum, lower costs and fund universal electricity access, though it faces a fiscal deficit and a need for billions of CFA in investment.

Zimbabwe, still dependent on imported electricity, highlighted a recent gas-condensate discovery and called for private investment to expand generation capacity and modernise its transmission network, including links to the Southern African Power Pool. A senior official from the US International Development Finance Corporation warned that investors will only fund projects that demonstrate viable returns, emphasizing the importance of cost-reflective tariffs, timely payments and stable tax policies. Both nations see regional power pools as a way to improve project economics and reduce reliance on a single utility.