By Adebayo Obajemu
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a major step towards the implementation of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project with the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), providing the legal and institutional framework for the multi-billion-dollar regional energy initiative.
The agreement was signed by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government during the regional bloc’s summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marking a significant milestone in the development of the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP).
The project is being jointly developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM).
When completed, the 6,900-kilometre pipeline is expected to transport about 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Nigeria through 13 West African coastal countries to Morocco, with onward connections to European markets via the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline.
According to NNPC Ltd., the project is expected to strengthen energy security across the region, boost industrialisation, improve electricity generation, create employment opportunities and establish a strategic energy corridor linking West Africa, the Sahel, Morocco and Europe.
The latest agreement gives effect to approvals granted during the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja in December 2024. It also concludes the regional institutional process initiated after Nigeria and Morocco signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the project in 2022.
Commenting on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the signing as a major breakthrough in the journey towards the project’s execution.
He said the pipeline aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of expanding Nigeria’s gas market and unlocking the country’s vast natural gas resources.
“This milestone reflects the clear mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is central to delivering that mandate by providing the infrastructure required to bring about three billion cubic feet of Nigerian gas to market. NNPC Ltd. is proud to co-lead this endeavour with ONHYM,” Ojulari said.
Also speaking, Director-General of ONHYM, Mrs Amina Benkhadra, described the agreement as another important step in the realisation of the strategic project.
She noted that the pipeline reflects the vision of King Mohammed VI for greater economic integration and cooperation across Atlantic Africa.
Project promoters said substantial preparatory work has already been completed, including Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, route surveys, environmental and social impact assessments, as well as the development of legal, commercial and regulatory frameworks.
The pipeline is projected to deliver up to 15 billion cubic metres of gas annually to Morocco and European markets while increasing gas utilisation within West Africa to support industrial development, value addition and job creation.
NNPC Ltd. added that Morocco and Mauritania are expected to sign the agreement in the next phase, after which a Pipeline Higher Authority will be established in Abuja, while the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project Company will be incorporated in Casablanca to drive implementation and prepare for the project’s Final Investment Decision (FID).