The Western Sahara oil curse
Article image
Big oil’s interest in occupied Western Sahara has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Some companies are now drilling, in complete disregard of international law and the Saharawi people’s rights. Here’s what you need to know.
Published 06 November 2015


Read all about it
The companies
The lies
Take action
It is unseen: a country is carrying out a large-scale oil exploration programme outside of its national borders. When that happened last time, under Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor, the activities were widely condemned and universally acknowledged as illegal.

Yet, this is precisely what Morocco is doing now in Western Sahara. But this time, the entire international community looks away.

Western Sahara is often called the last colony of Africa, and the UN treats it as such; as a Non-Self Governing Territory without an administering power in place. The people of Western Sahara, the Saharawis, have an internationally recognised right to self-determination; the right to decide the future status of the land and its resources.

The Saharawis have time and again spoken out against the oil development in their occupied homeland. Their voices are ignored by Morocco, the international community and the oil companies that choose to side with Morocco, who all seem to put profit over people.

Read up on big oil in Western Sahara, and find out what you can do to help put an end this injustice.

Morocco pushes enormous green hydrogen plans in occupied Western Sahara

The Moroccan government has confirmed several green hydrogen projects totalling 20 GW of renewables and up to 8 million tonnes of derivatives - many planned in occupied Western Sahara.

11 August 2025

IFS Food’s secret: errors fuel food fraud

IFS Food - a label meant to guarantee protection against food fraud - facilitates a practice of food fraud.

07 August 2025

TÜV Rheinland gets the geography precisely wrong

“The award for the most ironic company slogan goes to TÜV Rheinland”, stated WSRW.

06 August 2025

SRI update

The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 2 August 2025.

02 August 2025