Senegal has withdrawn offshore exploration rights previously granted to Atlas Oranto Petroleum, a privately owned oil and gas company founded by Nigerian businessman Arthur Eze, in a move that signals a stricter regulatory stance on inactive petroleum licences.
The decision reflects Senegal’s broader effort to tighten oversight of its energy sector and accelerate the commercial development of its hydrocarbon resources. Authorities cited Atlas Oranto’s failure to meet key operational, financial, and contractual obligations as the basis for the revocation.
The offshore block, which spans roughly 3,600 square kilometres north of the Dakar Peninsula, is regarded as geologically promising. Although seismic surveys had identified several potential leads, no drilling activity was carried out during the licence period, according to industry sources.
Under the supervision of the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Birame Souleye Diop, the licence was formally withdrawn in September 2025. Government officials noted that the company repeatedly failed to demonstrate financial capacity or make tangible progress on exploration work. By early 2026, industry assessments confirmed that the block had seen minimal activity throughout the duration of the permit.
Senegal’s government has since reclaimed control of the acreage, describing the move as part of a wider policy shift under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye aimed at enforcing compliance and screening licence holders more rigorously. The objective, officials say, is to prevent speculative holding of assets and ensure that exploration rights lead to real investment and development.
The revocation places Senegal among a growing number of African countries revisiting legacy oil and gas agreements signed during earlier exploration phases. Across the continent, governments are under pressure to ensure that petroleum licences translate into drilling and production rather than remaining dormant.
The decision has also renewed attention on Atlas Oranto’s operations elsewhere in the region. In Liberia, the company signed several production-sharing contracts in 2025 covering multiple offshore blocks, with reported signature bonuses and large proposed investment commitments. However, those agreements sparked criticism from lawmakers and civil society groups, who raised concerns about transparency, financial strength, and environmental risks.
Senegalese officials maintained that Atlas Oranto’s inability to provide adequate guarantees or advance exploration work justified the licence withdrawal, reinforcing a governance approach that prioritises performance and accountability over long-term licence retention.
