The Economic Community of West African States has approved the implementation of the 27 billion dollar Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project, marking a major milestone in regional energy cooperation.
The approval was granted during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Sierra Leone, where member states signed the Inter-Governmental Agreement for the project.
The 6,900-kilometre pipeline is expected to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco before connecting to Europe.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the development as a major breakthrough that would strengthen regional energy security, boost industrialisation and create employment opportunities across participating countries.
He noted that Nigeria, which possesses Africa’s largest proven gas reserves estimated at over 215 trillion cubic feet, would benefit significantly from increased export opportunities and domestic gas utilisation.
ECOWAS Chairman and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, announced the formal signing of the agreement, expressing optimism about the project’s successful implementation.
The next phase will involve the establishment of a project company in Morocco and a governing authority in Abuja ahead of investor mobilisation and a Final Investment Decision.
Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with first gas deliveries projected for 2031.
