Nigeria and Morocco advance gas pipeline project with joint venture

A strategic energy partnership between Morocco and Nigeria reached a pivotal milestone with the establishment of a dedicated joint venture to manage their ambitious $25 billion trans-African gas pipeline project. The newly formed entity will oversee financing and implementation of this massive infrastructure initiative,marking a transition from planning to operational phases.

According to the Moroccan Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM),this development marks a major step in structuring the project’s financing and preparing for its implementation. The creation of the new joint company now provides a clear and integrated governance framework,based on a more structured technical and financial vision.

The pipeline infrastructure will span approximately 6,000 kilometers along West Africa’s Atlantic coastline,representing one of the continent’s most significant energy undertakings. The system is designed to transport between 15 and 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually,fundamentally transforming regional energy accessibility and security.

Technical feasibility studies completed in 2025 have confirmed the pipeline’s routing,which will traverse 13 coastal nations including Benin,Togo,Ghana,Côte d’Ivoire,and Senegal,among others. The infrastructure will serve approximately 400 million people while providing connections to landlocked nations including Niger,Burkina Faso,and Mali.

International financial institutions have demonstrated strong support for the initiative. The European Investment Bank,Islamic Development Bank,and OPEC Fund for International Development have committed substantial resources,with the United Arab Emirates joining as a strategic partner. This diverse funding coalition underscores confidence in the project’s economic viability and regional significance.

The governance structure features a parent company overseeing regional entities responsible for specific pipeline segments,ensuring coordinated management across multiple jurisdictions. This organizational framework,endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO),provides transparency and operational efficiency essential for cross-border infrastructure of this magnitude.

The pipeline will ultimately connect to existing European gas networks through Morocco’s established infrastructure,positioning the kingdom as a crucial energy bridge between Africa and Europe while advancing continental integration objectives championed by King Mohammed VI.