Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline To Deliver First Product By 2031

The head of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Amina Benkhadra, has disclosed that an intergovernmental agreement on the proposed $25 Billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline will be signed before the end of 2026.

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Benkhadra made this known in a report published by Reuters on Monday, signalling fresh progress on one of Africa’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects.

She explained that following the signing of the intergovernmental agreement, a dedicated pipeline authority would be established in Nigeria to coordinate the project.

According to her, the authority will comprise ministerial representatives from the 13 participating countries, providing political oversight and regulatory coordination.

Naija News understands that the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, also known as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, is designed as a 6,900-kilometre hybrid offshore and onshore infrastructure.

Benkhadra said the pipeline would have a maximum capacity of 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually, with about 15 bcm earmarked to supply Morocco and support exports to Europe.

The project has received the backing of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with key preparatory stages already completed.

According to the report, both the feasibility study and the front-end engineering design have been concluded, paving the way for implementation.

Benkhadra revealed that Morocco’s ONHYM and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company would establish a joint venture project company in Morocco.

The company, she said, would be responsible for executing the project, including financing and construction.

She noted that beyond energy supply, the pipeline is expected to deepen economic integration across West Africa.

According to her, it would support electricity generation, boost industrialisation, and drive mining sector development in participating countries.

Benkhadra added that the project would position Morocco as a strategic energy bridge between Africa and Europe.

She explained that the initial phases would connect Morocco to gas fields in Mauritania and Senegal, while also linking Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire.

The final segment of the pipeline, she said, would connect Ghana to Nigeria’s vast gas reserves.

First Gas Expected In 2031

She disclosed that the first gas from the initial phases of the project is expected to flow by 2031.

“The project does not rely on a single global final investment decision,” Benkhadra said.

She explained that each segment of the pipeline would be developed as a standalone system to enable early value realisation.

On financing, Benkhadra said the project company would mobilise a combination of equity and debt to fund the pipeline.

She noted, however, that no final funding commitments had been secured so far.

“The project is attracting strong interest due to its scale, its phased structure, and its strategic positioning,” she added.

In October 2022, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Mauritania signed a memorandum of understanding on the pipeline project.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government recently disclosed that it had advanced discussions with stakeholders on another major initiative, the $20bn Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline.

The Trans-Sahara project is a proposed 4,128-kilometre pipeline designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Nigeria through Niger and Algeria to European markets.

Both projects are seen as critical to boosting Nigeria’s gas export capacity and strengthening energy ties with Europe.