Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline gains momentum with new agreements in Rabat

Sunday 13 July 2025 - 12:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline gains momentum with new agreements in Rabat

The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project is progressing steadily, as Rabat hosted a series of high-level meetings this week to advance the ambitious initiative. Representatives from national oil companies, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and other stakeholders convened on July 10-11 to review the project’s milestones and chart the path forward.

Key developments and milestones

Spanning 13 African countries, the pipeline aims to transport 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Nigeria to Morocco, eventually connecting to the Maghreb-Europe Pipeline and European gas networks. Designed to foster economic integration and energy access, the project is being developed in phases.

Significant progress has already been achieved, including detailed design studies completed last year and environmental and social impact assessments for the northern segment of the route. Similar studies for the southern section, running from Nigeria to Senegal, are currently underway.

During the meetings in Rabat, a new memorandum of understanding was signed between Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), and Togo’s National Gas Company (SOTOGAZ). This agreement solidifies Togo’s participation and completes the partnerships with all countries along the pipeline route.

A vision for African integration

The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline reflects the shared vision of King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who see the project as a cornerstone for African development and regional cooperation. The pipeline aligns with Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative, which focuses on strengthening ties between Atlantic-facing African nations.

In December 2024, the 66th ECOWAS Summit approved an Intergovernmental Agreement defining the rights and responsibilities of participating nations. The pipeline will also supply gas to three landlocked countries—Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali—bringing critical energy resources to underserved areas.

Stakeholders believe the project will enhance Africa’s economic, political, and strategic influence globally, while creating transformative opportunities for millions across West Africa.

Connecting Africa to Europe

The pipeline route spans coastal nations, including Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania, before reaching Morocco. From there, the infrastructure will link to European markets, positioning Africa as a key energy supplier to the region.

The completion of this project promises to revolutionize energy access, foster economic growth, and strengthen multilateral ties across the continent, while securing Africa’s role in the global energy landscape.