- Regional Leaders Sign Landmark Agreement to Advance $25 Billion Cross-Continental Energy Project
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone: Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday endorsed the Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) by signing the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) during the ECOWAS Summit in Freetown, marking a major milestone for one of Africa’s largest strategic energy infrastructure projects.
The agreement formally confirms the collective commitment of ECOWAS member states to the nearly 6,800-kilometre pipeline, which will transport natural gas from Nigeria through West Africa to Morocco before linking with the European gas network.
Strategic Initiative Backed by Morocco and Nigeria
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline was launched as a strategic initiative by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the late former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, with the continued support of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The project is being jointly developed by Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
The signing of the IGA represents a significant step toward transforming the project from a bilateral initiative into a region-wide development programme embraced by all ECOWAS member states.
Implementation Phase to Begin
The agreement paves the way for the project’s next implementation phase, which includes the establishment of a dedicated Project Company, to be headquartered in Casablanca, and the creation of the Pipeline Higher Authority, which will be based in Abuja.
These institutions will oversee the project’s development ahead of investor mobilization and preparations for the Final Investment Decision (FID).
The final legal stage will include a dedicated signing ceremony in Morocco, where the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania will jointly sign the agreement in the presence of the President of Nigeria.
Connecting Africa to Europe
Upon completion, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline will cross 13 countries along Africa’s Atlantic coastline before connecting with the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline in northern Morocco.
The pipeline is expected to transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, with up to 15 billion cubic metres earmarked for export to Morocco and European markets, while the remaining volume will serve growing energy demand across West Africa.
Driving Energy Security and Economic Integration
With an estimated investment of approximately $25 billion, the project aims to establish an integrated regional natural gas market, enhance electricity generation, accelerate industrialization, and promote the sustainable development of Africa’s natural resources.
The first sections of the pipeline are expected to become operational at the beginning of the next decade.
ECOWAS’ collective endorsement significantly strengthens the project’s political and institutional foundation, reinforcing the vision of Morocco and Nigeria that energy security is a key pillar of African sovereignty, economic transformation, and shared prosperity.
The Freetown Summit also confirms the continental dimension of the initiative, positioning the pipeline as a flagship project supporting Africa’s broader integration agenda.
Technical Studies Completed
ONHYM and NNPC Ltd. announced that the project’s principal engineering, environmental, and technical studies have now been completed, enabling the pipeline to move progressively into its operational development phase following the signing of the agreement.
A Development Corridor Beyond Energy
Beyond supplying natural gas, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is envisioned as a major economic development corridor that will connect African economies, stimulate cross-border trade and investment, strengthen regional competitiveness, and deepen economic integration across West Africa while enhancing Africa’s connectivity with international energy markets.
BY: The Times Union
