Member states of the Economic Community of West African States have endorsed the proposed $25 billion Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline through an intergovernmental agreement signed in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The agreement strengthens regional support for the 6,900-kilometre infrastructure project, which is expected to transport natural gas from Nigeria through 13 West African countries before reaching Morocco.
According to a joint statement from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, the pipeline will have an annual capacity of 30 billion cubic metres of gas.
Half of the proposed capacity, equivalent to 15 billion cubic metres annually, will be available to Morocco and European markets through an existing pipeline connecting Morocco with Spain.
The remaining capacity could serve participating West African countries, supporting electricity generation, industrial production, mining operations and domestic gas consumption.
Project Completes Major Engineering Stages
The Nigeria–Morocco pipeline has completed its feasibility study and front-end engineering design, moving the development closer to financing and construction.
The project was initially agreed upon about a decade ago by Nigeria and Morocco as part of efforts to commercialise Nigeria’s extensive gas reserves and improve energy access across West Africa.
Its proposed hybrid offshore and onshore route will connect coastal economies that continue to experience electricity shortages and limited access to reliable energy.
Beyond transporting gas, the pipeline is expected to provide a foundation for new power plants, manufacturing facilities and gas-based industries across participating countries.
The project could also reduce gas flaring in Nigeria by creating an additional commercial route for volumes that might otherwise remain underutilised.
Nigeria Targets European Gas Market
The pipeline would give Nigeria a direct long-term channel into Europe through Morocco, strengthening the country’s position in the international gas market.
European countries have been expanding their search for alternative energy suppliers following disruptions to traditional supply arrangements and growing concerns about energy security.
However, the development will require substantial financing, coordinated regulation and security arrangements across several jurisdictions before construction can begin.
Its $25 billion estimated cost makes it one of Africa’s largest proposed energy infrastructure projects.
The next phase will include an agreement between Morocco and Mauritania, which is expected to be signed in the presence of Nigeria’s president.
The ECOWAS agreement represents a critical political milestone, but the project’s commercial progress will depend on how quickly the participating countries establish financing, pricing and implementation frameworks.
If completed, the pipeline could reshape West Africa’s energy market by connecting Nigerian gas resources with regional consumers and European buyers through a single cross-border network.