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West Africa‑to‑Europe Gas Pipeline: ECOWAS Nations Ratify $25 B Nigeria‑Morocco Project
ECOWAS member states gathered in Freetown on Sunday to sign the inter‑governmental agreement that will govern the construction of the 6,800‑km Atlantic Africa Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco and, ultimately, to Europe. The $25 billion project, led by Morocco’s ONHYM and Nigeria’s NNPC, aims to move up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, with half destined for Morocco and the EU market.
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ECOWAS Leaders Sign Inter‑governmental Pact for the Atlantic Africa Gas Pipeline
On Sunday in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) formalised their commitment to the Nigeria‑Morocco gas pipeline by signing a binding inter‑governmental agreement.
Project Overview
The proposed pipeline will stretch nearly 6,800 kilometres from the Niger Delta to the Moroccan coast, where it will link with the existing Maghreb‑Europe pipeline. Developed by Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) and Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd.), the corridor is designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually.
- Up to 15 billion cubic metres are earmarked for domestic Moroccan consumption and export to Europe.
- The remaining capacity will serve regional West African markets.
Governance Structure
Following the signing, a dedicated project company will be established in Casablanca, while a governance authority headquartered in Abuja will oversee operations, safety standards, and tariff regimes.
Financials and Timeline
The total investment is estimated at US$25 billion. Early sections of the pipeline are slated to become operational in the early 2030s, with full commissioning expected later in the decade.
Strategic Benefits
The Atlantic Africa Gas Pipeline is positioned to create a unified West African natural‑gas market, stimulate electricity generation, attract downstream industry, and enhance the continent’s energy security. Technical, environmental, and engineering studies have already been completed, paving the way for the next phase of investor mobilisation and final investment decisions.
While Morocco and Mauritania are not ECOWAS members, they will sign the agreement in a separate ceremony later this year, alongside the Nigerian president.