West African leaders have officially endorsed the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, marking a major milestone for one of Africa’s largest and most ambitious energy infrastructure projects.
The agreement was reached during the 69th Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where regional leaders approved the legal and governance framework required to move the project into its next phase.
The pipeline, estimated to cost $25 billion, will stretch approximately 6,000 kilometres along the Atlantic coast, connecting Nigeria to Morocco while passing through several West African countries before linking to Europe’s gas network via Spain.
Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with the project being implemented in phases over several years.
Designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, the pipeline is expected to supply energy to around 400 million people, making it one of the world’s longest offshore gas pipelines.
Beyond improving energy access, the project is expected to stimulate industrialisation across the region by supporting electricity generation, fertiliser production, petrochemical industries, and manufacturing. It also aims to reduce dependence on imported fuels while strengthening economic cooperation between West and North Africa.
For Nigeria, the initiative offers an opportunity to maximise the value of its vast natural gas reserves while expanding regional trade and energy partnerships. Morocco, meanwhile, is expected to play a strategic role as a gateway connecting African energy supplies to European markets.
The project is being jointly led by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), with support from ECOWAS, the Islamic Development Bank, and the OPEC Fund for International Development.
Despite the political breakthrough, several challenges remain before construction can begin. Securing the project’s financing, ensuring the safety of the pipeline across participating countries, and maintaining long-term political stability will be critical to its success.
If completed as planned, the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline could significantly reshape West Africa’s energy landscape while strengthening regional integration, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing Africa’s role in global energy markets.
