Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline advances in Washington talks

The Moroccan National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) held a series of high-level meetings in Washington to discuss progress on the $25bn Atlantic African Gas Pipeline (AAGP), a major energy project linking Nigeria and Morocco, MAP reported on May 10. 

The AAGP, also known as the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP), was first agreed nearly a decade ago and will extend more than 5,600 kilometres along a combined offshore and onshore route.

Designed to have a maximum capacity of 30bn cubic metres per year, with around half allocated to supplying Morocco and supporting exports to Europe, it will pass through a dozen West African countries, supporting regional energy integration and economic development.

The Moroccan delegation was led by Amina Benkhadra and met representatives from the US Department of Energy, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, the World Bank Group, the US International Development Finance Corporation, and several research centres and think tanks. ONHYM described the project as one of Africa’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects, citing its regional reach and economic potential.

According to ONHYM, feasibility and Front End Engineering Design (FEED) studies have now been completed. The parties have also agreed on terms for an intergovernmental agreement that will establish the governance structure for the pipeline among ECOWAS member states, expected to be signed by participating heads of state.

Discussions also covered preparations for the project’s Final Investment Decision and the future company that will oversee financing, operations, and implementation.

Earlier in April, the Moroccan government said it would sign an intergovernmental agreement for the major natural gas pipeline project with Nigeria in 2026. A dedicated project company will also be set up in Morocco through a partnership between the Moroccan agency and Nigeria’s national oil company, NNPCL, to oversee financing, construction and execution. Initial phases are expected to link Morocco with gas fields in Mauritania and Senegal, with early gas production anticipated by 2031.