Mohamed Naji Cheibani: "Young graduates need to get out of their comfort zone to seize gas opportunities".

1. Could you briefly introduce the Association des Jeunes Diplômés en Hydrocarbures (AJDH), its main missions and objectives, and your role in the association?

The main mission of the Association des Jeunes Diplômés en Hydrocarbures (AJDH) is to support young Mauritanian graduates specialising in the oil, gas and energy sectors in general. We work to facilitate their access to training, internship and employment opportunities, while creating a common space for exchange, sharing of ideas and collective development of skills. I am a founding member of the association and I hold the post of External Relations Manager. My role involves liaising with national and international companies, institutions and partners, exploring opportunities for collaboration, and representing AJDH at events, forums and conferences related to the sector.

2. What impact has AJDH had on the community of young hydrocarbon graduates in Mauritania? Do you have any concrete examples of successes or noteworthy initiatives?

In a short space of time, AJDH has become one of the most active associations in its field thanks to its efforts in training, skills development and leadership among young graduates. Several members have been able to secure sustainable employment, while others have launched their own businesses, which are now well established in the sector.

3. Can you give us a brief presentation of the first Annual Energy Forum and its main objective?

The Annual Energy Forum is the first event organised by AJDH. It has the official support of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Its main objective is to highlight Mauritania's energy potential, particularly in the field of natural gas and renewable energies, while opening up a space for dialogue between young graduates, companies and public institutions. It also aims to strengthen training, employment and partnership opportunities for young people in the energy sector.

4. Why did you choose the theme "Gas resources in Mauritania: opportunities, challenges and prospects for young graduates" for this first edition of the Annual Energy Forum?

We have chosen the theme "Gas resources in Mauritania: opportunities, challenges and prospects for young graduates" because of the major gas discoveries currently being made in the country, in particular the GTA project and others currently underway. This topic is raising a lot of questions among young graduates and professionals in the sector who want to understand the concrete opportunities that these resources could generate in terms of employment, training and entrepreneurship. The aim of this forum is to provide a forum for discussion and debate on these issues, which are crucial to the energy and economic future of Mauritania's young people.

5. What are the major challenges facing young graduates in Mauritania?

Like many young people in Africa, young Mauritanian graduates face unemployment and a lack of specialised training, particularly in a sector as strategic as energy. It was against this backdrop that AJDH was set up, with the principal mission of supporting these young people, facilitating their access to training, internship and employment opportunities, and building bridges between them and players in the sector.

6. Will there be any specific initiatives during the Forum to encourage students, researchers and professionals to help each other?

Of course, encouraging collaboration between students, researchers and professionals is one of the key objectives of the forum. We will be organising interactive sessions, networking opportunities and presentations of projects led by young people, in order to create a solid network that will support their development in the energy sector.

7. How does the hydrocarbon sector in Mauritania present unique opportunities for young graduates?

The hydrocarbon sector in Mauritania does indeed offer interesting opportunities in both public and private companies. However, with the increasing interest of young people in this field and the growing number of graduates, it is essential to multiply these opportunities to ensure that everyone has access to a fair chance to contribute to this industry.

8. What are AJDH's ambitions for the next five years, particularly in terms of supporting young graduates?

AJDH has big ambitions for the next five years. We have several projects in the pipeline for rapid development. In a very short space of time, we have established partnerships with local and international companies as well as internationally recognised training schools. Over the next five years, we aim to expand these partnerships to include major companies such as BP and Kosmos. We also aim to optimally represent young Mauritanian graduates in the energy sector, both nationally and internationally.

9. How would you encourage young graduates to seize the opportunities offered by the hydrocarbon sector in Mauritania?

-My advice to young graduates is to keep looking for opportunities, and not to settle for the comfort zone. There are plenty of opportunities, but they require determination, ambition and continuous research. I would also encourage them to get involved in community initiatives to develop their leadership skills, thereby contributing to the advancement of the sector and the economic development of the country.

10. A final message to encourage participation in the 2025 Annual Energy Forum?

I invite everyone to take part in the 2025 Annual Energy Forum, whether they are students, graduates, professionals, business leaders or investors, both nationally and internationally. This will be a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, develop the skills of young people and explore the vast opportunities in the energy sector in Mauritania. Don't miss this chance to contribute to the development of this strategic sector for our country!

Finally, I would like to thank Or Noir Africa and our Senegalese brothers for their ongoing commitment to the development of young Mauritanians. Their unfailing support is a real source of inspiration. Let's keep up the momentum for a promising future in the energy sector, both in Mauritania and Senegal.