Rabat: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Morocco presented the ambitious African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project to potential US investors during the US-Africa Energy Forum held on August 6-7. The presentation marks a significant step toward securing international backing for the $25 billion infrastructure initiative. Nawfal Drari, Director of Project Finance at Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), delivered talking points covering the pipeline’s progress and investment opportunities.
The project, which leaders launched under the guidance of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, now moves closer to its Final Investment Decision. In a post on LinkedIn, ONHYM said that “this strategic project will enable African countries to access a sustainable and affordable source of energy, while also serving as a tool for economic and social integration.” The massive pipeline will stretch approximately 6,000 kilometers across multiple African countries, connecting Nigeria’s natural gas reserves to Morocco and eventually to European markets.
Engineers designed the system to carry between 15 and 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. The project promises to transform energy access across the continent. Officials estimate the pipeline will serve about 400 million people in 13 countries, dramatically expanding reliable energy access throughout West and North Africa. For Morocco, the pipeline represents more than just energy infrastructure. The government views it as a catalyst for economic transformation that will create thousands of jobs and establish the North African country as a primary energy transit hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic basin.
The ambitious project has already overcome several challenging hurdles, with engineers completing detailed design studies in 2024 and teams finishing environmental and social impact assessments for the northern section. Developers plan to build it in phases, with a holding company overseeing financing and construction. Three separate project companies will handle different segments of the route. In December 2024, West African leaders approved the Intergovernmental Agreement at the 66th CEDEAO Summit, outlining each country’s rights and responsibilities for the project.
Industry experts describe the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline as a major driver for economic, industrial, and digital development across the region. They asserted the project aligns with growing US interest in African energy partnerships and infrastructure development. The US-Africa Energy Forum provided ONHYM with a platform to connect with American stakeholders and feature the pipeline as a key investment opportunity in Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
