The United Arab Emirates has committed to investing in the ambitious $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, which aims to connect West Africa’s gas reserves to Europe via Morocco.
Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, announced the UAE’s involvement while addressing lawmakers on Tuesday. She noted that the project has now secured backing from key financial institutions including the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), OPEC Fund, European Investment Bank (EIB), and the UAE.
“All feasibility and engineering studies for the project have been completed,” Benali confirmed.
Dubbed the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline, the 6,800-kilometre infrastructure of which 5,100 km will be offshore will stretch from Nigeria through 15 West African countries, up to Morocco’s northern coast, with the ultimate aim of supplying gas to Europe.
The pipeline will be developed in phases:
Phase One will connect Morocco to gas fields in Mauritania and Senegal and extend to Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Phase Two will link Nigeria to Ghana.
Phase Three will complete the connection between the Ivory Coast and Senegal.
Industry experts believe the pipeline will significantly boost electricity access, economic development, and regional integration for the over 400 million people along its route.
A joint venture between Nigeria and Morocco is managing the project, and a financing agreement has already been signed to advance development. China’s Jingye Steel Group has been awarded the contract to supply the steel pipes needed for construction.
Once completed, it will become the longest offshore gas pipeline in the world.
Benali also emphasized Morocco’s broader energy ambitions, highlighting its drive to become a regional hub for clean energy production, including green hydrogen and other renewables.
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