The Federal Government of Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco, and Mauritania have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project.
This announcement was made during the ECOWAS Inter-Ministerial Meeting on the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, held in Abuja on November 4, 2024. The meeting was attended by ECOWAS Ministers of Hydrocarbons and Energy, as well as representatives from Morocco and Mauritania. The project aims to connect at least 13 nations, fostering economic growth across the region.
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The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, initiated in 2016, is a significant component of the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP). With an estimated cost of $26 billion, the AAGP combines two major projects: the $975 million West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project, spanning 678 km, and the 5,669 km Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, anticipated to cost around $25 billion. The pipeline is expected to supply gas to Morocco, 13 ECOWAS countries, and Europe, thereby fostering economic integration within the region.
The project is currently in the land acquisition phase, with environmental and social impact assessments underway. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that the proposed gas pipeline has entered this critical stage, highlighting the shared capacity and resolve to bring the project to fruition. A multilateral agreement outlining the pipeline’s usage and management terms is anticipated by the end of this year.
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The successful implementation of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project is expected to unlock new markets and bolster energy security throughout the region by linking Nigeria’s natural gas reserves to North Africa and Europe. This initiative is poised to expand opportunities for economic growth, industrialisation, and job creation, benefiting communities across the linkage countries.
