ECOWAS seals legal framework for Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline

Leaders under the aegis of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have cleared one of the biggest political hurdles to the proposed Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline after signing an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), providing the sovereign legal backing needed to move the multi-country project closer to a Final Investment Decision (FID).

The agreement, signed by ECOWAS Heads of State at the regional bloc’s summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marks the completion of the institutional process initiated after Nigeria and Morocco signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2022.

In a statement signed by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the deal also gives legal force to the approval granted by ECOWAS leaders in December 2024, signalling a stronger regional commitment to one of Africa’s most ambitious energy infrastructure projects.

Once completed, the pipeline will transport about 98 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas annually, equivalent to 30 billion cubic metres (bcm), through a 22,640-foot (6,900-kilometre) network stretching from Nigeria to Morocco along the Atlantic coast.

The project will traverse 13 West African coastal countries, with spur lines extending to landlocked Sahel nations before connecting to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline for exports into Europe.

Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, said the signing by West African heads of state gives the AAGP the sovereign foundation required to move from vision to delivery.

He added, “The AAGP is central to delivering that mandate by providing the infrastructure required to bring about 3 bcf/d of Nigerian gas to market. NNPC Limited is proud to co-lead this endeavour with ONHYM.”

The latest milestone comes as Nigeria seeks to commercialise its vast gas reserves, estimated at more than 200 tcf, diversify export routes beyond liquefied natural gas (LNG), and position natural gas as the backbone of Africa’s energy transition and industrialisation agenda.

The project is jointly being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), with sovereign backing from Nigeria, Morocco, ECOWAS member states and Mauritania.

According to the NNPC, the project has already completed critical preparatory work, including Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), route reconnaissance, environmental and social impact studies, and the development of key commercial, legal and regulatory frameworks.

The pipeline is expected to strengthen regional gas trade by expanding access to natural gas for electricity generation, fertiliser production, petrochemicals and other energy-intensive industries across West Africa, while creating a new export corridor into Europe.

Beyond export earnings, the project is expected to deepen regional integration by linking energy markets across West Africa and the Sahel, supporting industrial clusters and creating thousands of jobs during construction and operations.

Amina Benkhadra, Director General of ONHYM, said the event represents another major milestone in the realisation of the AAGP. “The Project fully reflects His Majesty’s vision for an integrated Atlantic Africa,” she said.

Following the forthcoming signatures by Morocco and Mauritania, the project will establish the Pipeline Higher Authority (PHA) in Abuja and the AAGP Project Company in Casablanca to oversee implementation and prepare for Final Investment Decision (FID).

NNPC and ONHYM reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the AAGP in line with the highest international standards of technical excellence, environmental responsibility and good governance.