By: Usman Yahaya Ismail
A major step forward is expected this year on the proposed $25 billion Nigeria–Morocco gas pipeline, as officials confirm that an intergovernmental agreement will be signed to advance the long-delayed project.
The development was disclosed by Amina Benkhadra, a senior official of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), who said the agreement would pave the way for the next phase of implementation.
The ambitious project, known as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, was first conceived about a decade ago and is designed to span approximately 6,900 kilometres, combining offshore and onshore routes across West Africa.
With a projected capacity of 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually, the pipeline is expected to supply about 15 bcm to Morocco while also facilitating exports to Europe.
Backed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the project has already completed feasibility studies and initial engineering design stages, positioning it for execution once formal agreements are concluded.
According to Benkhadra, the signing of the intergovernmental agreement will lead to the establishment of a regional governing body in Nigeria. The body will include ministerial representatives from the 13 participating countries, ensuring political coordination and regulatory alignment.
To drive implementation, a joint project company will also be established in Morocco through a partnership between ONHYM and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). The company will oversee financing, construction, and overall execution of the pipeline.
Beyond energy supply, the project is expected to deepen economic integration across West Africa by boosting electricity generation, supporting industrial growth, and enhancing mining activities in participating countries.
It is also projected to position Morocco as a strategic energy corridor linking Africa to European markets.
The pipeline will be developed in phases, with initial segments connecting Morocco to gas fields in Mauritania and Senegal, as well as linking Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire. The final phase will extend the network to Nigeria’s gas reserves.
First gas deliveries from the initial phases are expected by 2031.
Despite its scale, officials say the project will be implemented in modular stages, allowing each segment to progress independently and attract investment over time.
While full financing arrangements are yet to be finalised, Benkhadra noted that funding will be structured through a mix of equity and debt, coordinated by the project company.
She added that the scale, strategic importance, and phased structure of the pipeline have continued to attract strong interest from multiple stakeholders.