The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco, and Mauritania, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) project, a transformative initiative estimated to cost $26 billion.
This announcement was made during the ECOWAS Inter-Ministerial Meeting of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project held on Friday, November 1 in Abuja.
The meeting, attended by Ministers of Hydrocarbons and Energy from ECOWAS member states, focused on advancing the AAGP, which aims to connect at least 13 countries, enhancing economic growth across the region.
The project was initially conceived during King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit to Nigeria in December 2016.
The AAGP will merge two significant pipeline projects: the $975 million West African Gas Pipeline Extension, which will extend 678 kilometers, and the 5,669-kilometer Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, projected to cost around $25 billion.
The initiative seeks to monetize Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources, generate additional revenue, diversify gas export routes, and eliminate gas flaring.
Furthermore, it aims to supply gas to Morocco, 13 ECOWAS countries, and Europe, thereby fostering regional economic integration.
The total pipeline length will stretch 5,300 kilometers from Nigeria to Dakhla, Morocco, and an additional 1,700 kilometers will connect Dakhla to Northern Morocco.
During the meeting, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), emphasised the significance of the decisions to be made, which will shape the future of the African Atlantic gas project. Represented by Olalekan Ogunleye, NNPCL’s Executive Vice President for Gas Power & New Energy, Kyari highlighted the project’s potential for shared prosperity among participating nations.
“Today, we come together to make significant progress in the African Atlantic gas pipeline project, perhaps the largest African project, a transformative initiative that promises to connect at least 13 African nations in shared prosperity and development,” Ogunleye stated.
He noted that substantial progress has been made in front-end engineering design, with phase two studies completed, and work ongoing for environmental assessments and land acquisition.
“These achievements underscore our shared capacity and resolve to bring this partner project to fruition,” he added.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasised the transformative potential of the project, stating, “We stand at a critical juncture where these draft agreements hold the power to reshape our energy landscape and uplift our people.”
Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Laila Benali, expressed optimism about the project’s ability to open new markets and create employment opportunities.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, Sediko Douka, highlighted the importance of collaboration among all parties involved.
“We have reached a critical phase in the development of this project, and it’s crucial for all parties to work closely to bring it to fruition,” Douka said.
As the meeting concluded, critical agreements, including the Intergovernmental Agreement and Host Government Agreement for the AAGP, were advanced, reflecting a shared vision for a resilient and interconnected energy future for Africa.
The AAGP initiative is poised to significantly enhance the region’s energy landscape and economic development.
