Morocco will initiate tenders for the first phase of the colossal gas pipeline project with Nigeria next year, according to the “2025 Action Plan” released by the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, according to the outlet “Asharq Business.”
Also known as the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, will connect Nigeria to Morocco through 16 African countries along the Atlantic Ocean, eventually linking to European gas networks.
The pipeline which aims to transport up to 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, looks to strengthen energy access and economic integration across West Africa while facilitating exports to Europe.
Morocco and Nigeria announced the project in 2016 during King Mohammed VI’s visit to Abuja, where he met then-President Muhammadu Buhari. Initial plans received funding from the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development.
Once completed, the pipeline will stretch over 5,600 kilometers, crossing countries like Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, among others. Landlocked nations, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, will also receive gas supplies via the network.
The first phase will focus on Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. In 2025, agreements will be finalized for gas transportation, tenders will be launched for pipeline construction, and a private company will be established to oversee the project’s construction, operation, and maintenance.
The USD 25 billion project promises substantial economic and social benefits for participating countries, poising the project to be a financially viable venture. In total, the project will integrate into the economies of the countries involved which have a combined population of over 400 million.
The pipeline also offers a safer and more cost-effective alternative to liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport, avoiding the risks associated with shipping.
Morocco is also considering integrating a green hydrogen transport line into the pipeline, according to Amina Benkhadra, Director-general of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines.
In 2025, Morocco plans to establish the project’s governing authority and secure agreements with all participating countries. The steps will finalize the financial and operational structure of the initiative, paving the way for construction to begin.