KEY POINTS
Morocco is taking significant steps to advance the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, with plans to launch tenders in 2025 as part of the initial development phases. This marks a pivotal milestone in the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) initiative, reflecting a commitment to economic integration and sustainable energy solutions across Africa.
Project scope spans 16 countries and connects to Europe
According to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat, the tenders will focus on the sections of the pipeline located within Morocco, as outlined in the 2025 Action Plan by the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM). The pipeline’s first phase will traverse Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal, with additional agreements for gas transport set to be signed next year.
The 5,600-kilometre pipeline, one of Africa’s most ambitious energy projects, will cover 16 countries along the Atlantic coast. It will link to the Morocco-Europe Gas Pipeline and the European gas network, ensuring benefits not only for Africa but also for Europe.
Morocco will host 1,672 kilometres of the route, with the project aiming to provide energy access to over 340 million people. King Mohammed VI has described the initiative as “a project for peace, African economic integration, and co-development.”
Partnerships boost momentum
The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project has garnered substantial support through multiple agreements. In 2023, Morocco signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and petroleum operators in countries such as Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, and Liberia. Additional MoUs were also signed with Mauritania, Senegal, Ghana, and The Gambia, reinforcing a collective commitment to the project.
Recently, at a meeting chaired by ECOWAS Ministers of Hydrocarbons and Energy, discussions on critical agreements such as the Intergovernmental Agreement and Host Government Agreement entered advanced stages. These agreements aim to solidify the legal and operational frameworks necessary for the project’s success.
Economic and environmental benefits for Africa and beyond
The pipeline is expected to cost $26 billion, merging two key projects: the $975 million West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project and the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project.
For Nigeria, the pipeline offers an opportunity to monetise its vast natural gas resources, generate additional revenue, and diversify gas export routes. It also aims to reduce gas flaring, a long-standing environmental challenge in the region.
Beyond Nigeria, the pipeline will supply gas to Morocco, 13 ECOWAS countries, and Europe, promoting economic integration and energy security across the sub-region. This project highlights Africa’s growing role in global energy markets and its potential to drive regional development through collaborative infrastructure initiatives.
