The Nigerian federal government, along with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco, and Mauritania, has once again shown its commitment to the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project. This commitment was made clear at the ECOWAS Inter-Ministerial Meeting on the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, where officials also announced new partnerships to help move the project forward.
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project plans to link at least 13 countries, which will help boost economic growth in the region.
At a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, called the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project “revolutionary” for Africa’s energy situation.
“This project will increase Nigeria’s income from gas sales and also help reduce gas waste and support better energy use,” Ekpo said.
Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Laila Benali, is hopeful that the project can open new markets and create jobs.
Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, stressed the need for everyone to work together to make the project happen.
The project includes two main parts: the $975 million West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project and the 5,669 km Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, which is expected to cost around $25 billion. This large-scale project will use Nigeria’s large natural gas reserves to increase revenue, create new gas export routes, and reduce gas flaring.
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding, the project is advancing, and officials are collaborating with more partners to drive the initiative forward.