At a Glance
- Multi-billion-dollar pipeline projects boost Africa’s energy security, industrial growth and regional integration.
- Pipelines link landlocked regions to export markets, driving jobs, infrastructure and foreign investment.
- Environmental safeguards and community programs shape sustainable development across Africa’s energy corridors.
Africa’s largest pipeline projects are redefining how energy moves across the continent, connecting oil and gas producers to refineries, power plants and export markets through some of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure developments.
Valued at billions of dollars, these pipelines underpin Africa’s drive for energy security, industrial growth and regional integration.
Spanning thousands of kilometers, the projects transport crude oil, refined petroleum products and natural gas across borders, often linking landlocked regions to coastal terminals.
Governments and energy giants see them as catalysts for job creation, infrastructure expansion and foreign investment, while also reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Beyond economics, the pipelines are reshaping regional cooperation. By tying national energy systems together, they strengthen trade links, stabilize supply chains and support gas‑to‑power initiatives across Africa’s fastest‑growing economies.
Environmental and social considerations remain central to these developments. Project developers are incorporating environmental safeguards, community engagement programs and social responsibility initiatives to balance commercial returns with long‑term sustainability.
Shore Africa has detailed a profile-by-profile snapshot of the continent’s seven largest pipeline projects, highlighting their scale, impact, and strategic significance.
1. Central African Pipeline System (CAPS)
Stretching 6,500 km with a $30 billion investment, CAPS transports crude oil and refined products across Central, East, and West Africa. It strengthens energy security, creates thousands of jobs, and promotes regional trade while incorporating environmental safeguards to minimize impact on forests and waterways.
2. Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline
At 5,600 km and $25 billion, this pipeline delivers natural gas from Nigeria to Morocco and 11 West African nations. It supports energy diversification, fuels industrial growth, and enhances regional energy security while providing training and employment for local communities.
3. African Renaissance Pipeline Project
This 2,600 km, $6 billion natural gas pipeline connects Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin to South Africa. It is key to energy export, industrial development, and local employment generation, integrating sustainable practices in coastal and inland environments.
4. Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline (TSGP)
The 4,128 km, $13 billion TSGP transports Nigerian natural gas to Europe via Algeria. It secures export revenues, strengthens regional ties, and advances gas-to-power initiatives while adhering to social and environmental standards across the Sahara corridor.
5. East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)
EACOP spans 1,443 km and costs $3 billion, moving crude oil from Uganda to Tanzania. It provides a boost to local economies, supports regional energy independence, and incorporates environmental protection measures along sensitive ecosystems.
6. Mozambique LNG Project
This project links Mozambique’s gas fields to international markets, underpinning global energy supply. It promotes industrial growth, foreign investment, and local employment, with environmental management plans mitigating the impact on marine and coastal areas.
7. West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP)
The West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) is the first sub-Saharan regional system exporting Nigerian gas to Benin, Togo, and Ghana, with Ghana receiving gas in Takoradi and Tema for power. It strengthens energy access, industrialization, and local job creation while integrating community engagement and environmental protection programs.
