Senegalese authorities have revoked the Cayar Offshore Shallow exploration licence held by Atlas Oranto Petroleum, an oil and gas firm founded by Nigerian billionaire Arthur Eze, citing failure to meet financial and operational obligations tied to the block. According to Business Insider Africa, the licence, awarded in 2008 and covering about 3,600 square kilometres north of Dakar, saw minimal exploration activity despite multiple extensions, with no wells drilled and required bank guarantees not provided.
The revocation, approved under the supervision of Energy and Petroleum Minister Birame Souleye Diop in September 2025, reflects the government’s tougher regulatory stance under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as Senegal moves to reclaim underutilised oil assets and enforce stricter compliance across the energy sector.