Nigeria, Morocco advance $25 billion Atlantic gas pipeline deal

Nigeria and Morocco are moving closer to sealing a landmark agreement on the proposed $25 billion Atlantic gas pipeline project, one of Africa’s most ambitious cross-border energy infrastructure developments.

Both countries are expected to sign an intergovernmental agreement in the fourth quarter of 2026, advancing plans for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, a strategic project designed to connect West African gas reserves to North Africa and European markets.

The development emerged following discussions between Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, according to a statement from Nigeria’s foreign ministry.

Africa’s mega gas route takes shape

First proposed nearly a decade ago, the pipeline is expected to stretch between 5,600 kilometers and 6,900 kilometers along a hybrid offshore-onshore route crossing 13 Atlantic coast nations.

The project is designed with a projected capacity of about 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, including roughly 15 bcm dedicated to Morocco’s domestic market and exports into Europe.

The planned agreement is expected to be signed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI after preliminary engineering and technical feasibility studies are concluded. The pipeline is being jointly developed by NNPC Limited and Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines, widely known as ONHYM.

Energy, trade and food security in focus

Morocco’s ONHYM chief Amina Benkhadra recently indicated that the intergovernmental agreement could be finalized this year as both governments accelerate negotiations around financing, regulation and regional participation.

Beyond energy cooperation, both nations also agreed to revive the Nigeria-Morocco Business Council to strengthen trade and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework and an existing double taxation treaty.

If completed, the Atlantic gas pipeline would rank among the continent’s largest infrastructure projects, reinforcing Africa’s position in global energy markets while deepening economic integration between West Africa, North Africa and Europe.