NIGERIA-MOROCCO GAS PIPELINE SET FOR IMPLEMENTATION AS ECOWAS APPROVAL NEARS

West Africa’s Energy Future Set to Transform as Pipeline Project Awaits ECOWAS Approval.

Nigeria-morocco Gas pipeline project Natural gas African atlantic gas pipeline Africa.
Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project sets for official launch as ECOWAS Approval Near
Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project sets for official launch as ECOWAS Approval Near


The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project is nearing its official launch as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prepares to give final approval at the level of heads of state. 

The announcement was made by Amina Benkhadra, Director General of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), during the closing of the 17th US-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola.

The 6,900-kilometer pipeline, also referred to as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, aims to transport natural gas from Nigeria through 13 coastal and three landlocked countries to Morocco, and ultimately to Europe. Once completed, it is expected to significantly improve energy security, support industrial growth, and promote regional integration across West Africa.

“The Intergovernmental Agreement has been endorsed by energy ministers of the concerned countries and approved by ECOWAS,” Benkhadra stated during a high-level energy panel. “The official signature by the heads of state will constitute the final institutional milestone before implementation begins.”

The $25 billion project is being developed jointly by ONHYM and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). It has already passed several technical, environmental, and institutional phases, with implementation planned to proceed in stages tailored to the specific needs of each region.

Speaking during the summit session titled Unleashing Africa’s Gas Potential: Pathways to Sustainable Growth and Energy Security, Benkhadra emphasized that access to natural gas is critical for Africa’s development. 

Morocco considers the pipeline a central component of its broader national energy strategy. The country aims to position itself as both an energy hub and a diplomatic bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

“Under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is working to play a driving role in African development by leveraging its geostrategic location,” Benkhadra said.

Morocco’s delegation to the summit was led by Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government for Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies. It included senior representatives from major public and private institutions, such as AMDIE, ONHYM, ONCF, CGEM, MARSA Maroc, and key Moroccan banks.

During the summit, Zidane held bilateral meetings with several African ministers, including Angola’s Minister of State for Economic Coordination José de Lima Massano, Minister of Industry Rui de Oliveira, and Egypt’s Minister of Public Business Sector Mohamed Chimi. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in areas including investment, industry, agriculture, and trade.

The summit, which drew over 1,500 participants, took place under the theme Pathways to Prosperity: A Shared Vision for US-Africa Partnership. It provided a platform for renewed economic dialogue between African nations and the United States.

Diplomatically, Morocco gained further ground during the summit as both the United States and Angola declined to recognize or invite the Polisario Front’s so-called “SADR” entity to participate. The move is seen as a diplomatic victory for Rabat and a reinforcement of its territorial claim over the Sahara.

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