In a significant development that promises to enhance energy cooperation across Africa, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco have escalated their discussions to expedite the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the ambitious $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project. This strategic move was highlighted during a recent meeting involving key figures from both nations, including Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Ms. Leila Benali.
Underpinning these talks were the senior executives from the energy sectors of both countries, notably NNPC Limited’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, and the Director General of the Morocco National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), Mme Amina Benkhadra. The meeting, held on Wednesday, focused intensively on the mechanisms and strategies to expedite the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, a venture of significant geopolitical and economic magnitude.
This dialogue follows a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed in Abuja in 2022, laying the groundwork for this cross-continental project. Both Nigeria and Morocco have underscored the project’s strategic importance, not just for their respective countries but for the African continent as a whole. The primary objective is to address the critical issue of energy poverty in Africa and to ensure the project’s speedy and successful completion.
The proposed pipeline, with a dimension of 48 inches in diameter and stretching approximately 5,300 kilometers from Nigeria to Dhakia (Morocco), further extends 1,700 kilometers from Dhakia to Northern Morocco. Its capacity is estimated at 30 billion cubic meters per year, translating to about 3.0 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day. A notable feature of this project is its extensive geographical coverage, passing through several African nations including the Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, before reaching its terminus in Morocco, with an additional spur to Spain.
Given the project’s international scope, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has been tasked with several critical responsibilities. These include facilitating inter-governmental treaties and host government agreements, establishing a Pipeline Higher Authority, and ensuring alignment with frameworks set by the African Union, the United Nations, and other relevant international bodies.
This pipeline project is poised to have multifaceted benefits. It is expected to drive the monetization of Nigeria’s vast gas resources, reinforce NNPC Ltd.’s position as a leading energy entity in Africa, and significantly bolster economic and regional cooperation among African countries. As such, it represents not just an energy infrastructure project, but a critical step towards deeper continental integration and sustainable development.
The enhanced dialogue between Nigeria and Morocco marks a significant leap towards realizing this vision, indicating a shared commitment to harnessing Africa’s energy potential for the collective benefit of its nations. As this project progresses, it is anticipated to become a cornerstone of Africa’s energy landscape, contributing substantially to the continent’s economic growth and energy security.
