Nigeria's Ambitious Gas Pipeline Project
In a significant move that could reshape the energy landscape between Africa and Europe, Nigeria's state-owned oil corporation, NNPC, is on the lookout for investors for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline to Morocco. This ambitious project, estimated to cost between $25 billion and $26 billion, aims to establish a new gas supply route from West Africa to European markets. NNPC's CEO, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, highlighted the UAE's ADNOC as a potential partner during the recent ADIPEC conference held in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating the project's international appeal and the potential for collaboration.
The Strategic Route Through Morocco
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is being developed in collaboration with Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), marking a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing regional energy cooperation. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) members signed an intergovernmental agreement in July 2026, solidifying their commitment to this project. The pipeline is designed to transport an impressive 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually, with half of that capacity earmarked for Morocco and European markets. The gas is expected to reach Spain via the existing Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, further integrating Morocco into the European energy supply network.
Spanning nearly 6,900 kilometers, the pipeline's development will occur in phases, building upon the foundation laid by the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), which currently connects Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana. Ojulari expressed confidence in this phased approach, stating, "Our intention is to extend [WAGP] to Sierra Leone, monetize that, and extend to the next one," highlighting the long-term vision for expanding gas infrastructure across the region.
In addition to the pipeline through Morocco, there is also a separate Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project that aims to link Kano in northern Nigeria to Algeria's gas transmission network via Niger. This project is projected to cost between $10 billion and $13 billion. Ojulari indicated that the three involved nations are making progress on financing arrangements, with expectations for more clarity on the final investment decision by 2027. Construction on the new section in Algeria commenced in June 2026, with plans for it to connect to the Hassi R'Mel gas hub, enabling gas to flow to Europe through existing infrastructure.
As reported by expro.com.ua.
