Oil Days 2025 in Dubai: OMNIS unveils the new era of oil in Madagascar

The Office des Mines Nationales et des Industries Stratégiques (OMNIS), the Malagasy state agency responsible for managing strategic mineral resources and hydrocarbons, is stepping up its efforts to position Madagascar as a key player in the extractive industries in Africa. Created on 12 November 1975 as the Office Militaire National pour les Industries Stratégiques, OMNIS has evolved into a pivotal institution under the technical supervision of the Ministry of Mines and the financial oversight of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. With a renewed focus on enhancing geological data, reforming the upstream petroleum sector and promoting mining exploration, OMNIS carries forward Madagascar's vision for sustainable resource development.

OMNIS was formalised in 1976 with the mission of shaping national policies for strategic industries, including the military and extractive sectors. Over the decades, key milestones have defined its role: the adoption of the Petroleum Code in 1996, which designated OMNIS as the technical manager of the national hydrocarbons domain, and the Mining Code in 1999, which extended its responsibilities to strategic minerals such as uranium. Today, as a Public Administrative Institution (EPA), OMNIS operates with a robust administrative structure, including a Board of Directors and General Management, and complies with commercial accounting standards.

The agency's mission is twofold: to enhance the value of geological data and to promote the management of exploration and exploitation activities in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors. This mission is in line with pan-African efforts for effective governance of resources, as Nantenaina Rasolonirina, Acting Director General, pointed out at the Oil 2025 Days in Dubai, where discussions focused on the importance of technical supervision of contracts, such as Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs).

In the hydrocarbon sector, OMNIS carries out basin studies, assesses resources and promotes exploration through detailed dossiers. The agency supervises the technical activities of the operating companies, ensuring that contractual obligations are met, particularly in the PSCs. It also manages a comprehensive database, provides technical assistance to partners and conducts health, safety and environment (HSE) audits to ensure compliance with environmental standards. Notably, OMNIS verifies and audits oil costs, a crucial function in preventing problems such as those cited by Gacyen Mouely at the Journées Pétrole, where an operator had included tax penalties in reimbursable expenses.

In the mining sector, OMNIS focuses on geological studies in reserved areas, manages exploration data and promotes uranium exploration in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It provides technical support to investors, supervises compliance with contractual terms and manages the State's portfolio of holdings. In addition, its laboratory capabilities include chemical and mineralogical analysis, as well as geochemical and physico-chemical characterisation of petroleum products, reinforcing its role in resource evaluation.

OMNIS is currently focusing on revitalising the upstream oil sector through renewed promotional efforts and preliminary geological studies in reserved areas. These initiatives are aimed at attracting investment while ensuring transparency and efficiency, echoing the call for rigorous control of contracts made by H.E. Vacaba Diaby during the Oil Days. The agency's vision is to become the leading professional in Madagascar's extractive sector, promoting sustainable development through strategic resource management.

By drawing on its technical expertise and aligning itself with international standards, OMNIS is responding to challenges similar to those discussed at the Oil Days, such as the need for better data management and cost control. For example, its role in auditing oil costs reflects the practices advocated by African nations such as Nigeria, which carries out regular audits to ensure equitable revenue sharing.

With its slogan "Committed to a better future", OMNIS is well positioned to strengthen Madagascar's position in the global oil and gas and mining markets. By leveraging geological data, fostering partnerships and ensuring rigorous oversight, the agency is laying the foundations for sustainable economic growth. As Africa seeks to maximise the value of its resources, OMNIS's efforts serve as a model for integrating technical expertise and regulatory discipline into the extractive industries.