Oil & Gas

Today, Friday, 16th June 2023, marked significant progress for the Moroccan-Nigerian gas pipeline project. A series of memorandums of understanding were signed, signifying the inclusion of four additional African nations in this promising venture. The primary objective of the project is to transport gas from West African countries to Europe.

The gas pipeline, starting from Abuja and ending in Rabat, is set to traverse a total of 11 countries: Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania. The aim is to transport approximately 3 billion cubic feet of gas per day (equivalent to 0.084 billion cubic meters per day or roughly 30 billion cubic meters per year) along the West African coast to Morocco and onward to Europe.

The signing ceremony for the memorandums of understanding took place today at the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Lagos, Nigeria. The Nigerian Petroleum Corporation confirmed this development in a statement received by a specialized energy platform.

These newly signed memorandums of understanding between Ivory Coast, Liberia, Guinea, Benin, Morocco, and Nigeria build upon the existing agreements signed with the ECOWAS group, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Ghana last year. They serve as a reaffirmation of the commitment of all parties involved to the strategic Moroccan-Nigerian gas pipeline project. The project aims to enhance the liquefaction of natural gas resources in African countries and provide an alternative export route to Europe.

The signing of the memorandums took place during the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project, which saw the participation of representatives from ECOWAS and all the concerned countries.

With a projected cost exceeding $25 billion, the Moroccan-Nigerian gas pipeline project is regarded as a pivotal source for expediting access to energy in various countries, improving living conditions, fostering economic integration within the region, and mitigating desertification by ensuring sustainable and dependable gas supplies.

Once completed, the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline will span over 5,600 kilometers, establishing itself as the largest marine pipeline globally. This project will extend the existing gas pipeline network in West Africa, which currently connects Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana, ultimately converging in Morocco, acting as a central hub for gas transit to Europe.

The Moroccan-Nigerian gas pipeline commences from Bras Island in Nigeria, traversing through Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and concluding in Morocco. Consequently, the pipeline spans 11 countries between Nigeria and Morocco.

The President of the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation, Milli Kyari, views this project as an opportunity to harness Nigeria's abundant hydrocarbon resources, enhance energy accessibility to drive economic growth and industrialization, and consequently create employment opportunities across the continent and beyond. According to estimates by British oil company BP, Nigeria possesses the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, totaling 5.5 trillion cubic meters by the end of 2020, a significant increase from 1.1 trillion cubic meters in 1980.

Amina Benkhadra, the Director General of the Moroccan National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, emphasized that this collaboration is a progressive step towards ensuring social and economic development. It guarantees energy security and facilitates the comprehensive growth of Africa.

Morocco seeks to capitalize on the existing infrastructure of the Maghreb-Europe pipeline, previously used for transporting Algerian gas to Europe, thereby establishing itself as a gateway for Nigerian gas to reach the European continent.

Sediko Duca, the Commissioner of the Economic Community "ECOWAS" responsible for infrastructure, energy, and digitalization, highlighted the significance of the Moroccan-Nigerian gas pipeline in enhancing electricity production and generation capacity. Furthermore, it will stimulate industrial and agricultural development while contributing to the energy transition by utilizing cleaner energy sources compared to other fossil fuels.

It is worth noting that the gas pipeline project between Nigeria and Morocco was initially announced in 2016 during a meeting in Abuja attended by King Mohammed VI of Morocco and former Nigerian President Muhammad Buhari. The final investment decision for the project is expected to be made within this year, and if successful, gas flow is anticipated to commence before the end of the current decade.