The construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, valued at $25 billion, has entered a decisive phase. The National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) confirmed this week the preparation of a dedicated project company for financing and implementing this strategic infrastructure.
Stretching nearly 6,000 kilometers, the pipeline aims to transport between 15 and 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Its route will serve 13 coastal countries in West Africa, representing nearly 400 million inhabitants, before connecting to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, and from there to the European market. Internal interconnections will also supply Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
### A Regional Governance Structure Under Construction
The chosen governance framework envisions a lead company and several regional entities, each responsible for a specific segment. This model aligns with the guidelines set by ECOWAS and strengthens the project’s foundation within a pan-African cooperation context.
Last July, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), ONHYM, and the Togolese Gas Company (SOTOGAZ) signed an additional protocol in Rabat, formalizing Togo’s entry into the consortium. This dynamic illustrates the desire to involve all traversed states in the governance of the project.
### Significant Financial Backing
The project has already garnered notable interest from international financiers. In addition to the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and the OPEC Fund, Moroccan Energy Minister Leïla Benali announced that the United Arab Emirates would join the financial partners’ consortium.
The establishment of a specially formed company to oversee the execution represents the preparatory step towards the final investment decision (FID), expected by the end of 2025.
This extraordinary project, which combines energy challenges, regional integration, and supply security, is gradually establishing itself as one of the key levers for the future energy mix in Africa and the Euro-Mediterranean region.