Energy looms large on Scholz's first Africa tour

DAKAR, Senegal－German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country is interested in a major gas exploitation project in Senegal, as he began a three-nation visit to Africa on Sunday that is also focused on the geopolitical consequences of the conflict in Ukraine.

His visit came at a time when Germany and some other European countries are trying to reduce their dependence on importing Russian gas. Senegal is believed to have significant deposits of natural gas along its border with Mauritania.

"We have begun exchanges and we will continue our efforts at the level of experts because it is our wish to achieve progress," Scholz said at a joint news conference with Senegalese President Macky Sall.

The gas project off the coast of Senegal is being led by BP, and the first barrels are not expected until next year.

Sall said Senegal was ready to work toward supplying the European market with liquefied natural gas. He forecast Senegal's LNG output to reach 2.5 million metric tons next year and 10 million tons by 2030.

This week's trip marks Scholz's first to Africa since becoming chancellor about six months ago. Two of the countries he is visiting－Senegal and South Africa－have been invited to attend the G7 summit in Germany at the end of June.

Participants there will try to find a common position toward Russia, which was kicked out of G8 after Crimea joined Russia through a referendum in 2014.

Leaders at the G7 summit will also be addressing the threat of climate change. Some G7 countries, including Germany and the United States, signed a "just energy transition partnership" with South Africa last year to help the country wean itself off heavily polluting coal.

Agencies Via Xinhua