Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline will boost West African growth, renewable energy expansion- Stakeholders

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, a 6,800-kilometer project linking Nigeria’s gas reserves to Morocco, is expected to boost energy security, regional economic growth, and support the shift towards renewable energy across West Africa.

During a meeting in Abuja on Friday, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ministers of Energy and Hydrocarbons convened to review key agreements on this initiative, named the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), and to establish the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility (EREEEF).

The pipeline project, developed in partnership with Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) is targeted not only to fuel industries and drive economic growth across the region but also to align with climate goals by providing a transitional, lower-pollution energy source.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Sédiko Douka, during the opening ceremony of the Abuja meeting highlighted the pivotal steps in ECOWAS’s energy ambitions.

Douka, who represented Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, noted that the ministerial meeting aimed to solidify key agreements on the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) and the establishment of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility (EREEEF).

Douka said the importance of the AAGP, a project that will link Nigeria to Morocco via a 6,800 km pipeline, passing through all ECOWAS coastal countries, Mauritania, and the landlocked nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Initially proposed during a 2016 meeting between Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Nigeria’s then-President, the pipeline is now a collaborative effort between Nigeria’s NNPC and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM).

According to him, ECOWAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NNPC and ONHYM in 2022, and the project gained further traction in July 2023, when ECOWAS leaders endorsed a decision to merge this pipeline with the West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project (WAGPEP).

“The AAGP will create access to natural gas across West Africa, fueling industries, agriculture, and power generation, and driving economic growth. This project is of vital importance for our region,” Douka said.

He emphasized that, although natural gas is a fossil fuel, it produces relatively low levels of pollutants and serves as an effective transitional energy source.

“The gas pipeline project supports both regional development and global climate goals by advancing clean energy initiatives, from mobility solutions to clean cooking options”, he stated.

The meeting also focused on enhancing renewable energy in West Africa, where Douka highlighted that only about 20% of the region’s hydroelectric potential is currently tapped.

“The ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility (EREEEF) will aim to increase renewable energy’s role in the region’s energy mix.

“Key policy documents under discussion include a directive for solar photovoltaic technologies and model agreements for public-private partnerships, power purchasing, and project implementation for solar projects”, he noted.

Douka underscored the need for collaboration among member states to overcome energy access barriers and to develop a reliable energy infrastructure that will support both the AAGP and renewable energy projects.

He also pointed to challenges within the ECOWAS energy framework, including WAPP’s debt recovery issues and ERERA’s need for support to fully operationalize the regional electricity market.

By mid-December, ECOWAS hopes to have these agreements approved by its statutory bodies, setting the stage for action on both the gas pipeline and renewable energy projects.

On his part, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic agreements to drive the region’s hydrocarbon and energy growth.

Ekpo noted that the AAGP is more than an infrastructure venture—it’s a step toward building a deeply interconnected energy network across Africa.

He explained that the Draft Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and Host Government Agreement (HGA) will be vital for setting the framework for this collaboration, fostering stability and equitable terms among participating nations.

“The AAGP is set to stretch from Nigeria to Morocco, passing through multiple ECOWAS countries.

“The pipeline promises to open new markets, bolster regional energy security, and spur economic growth by linking Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to North Africa and Europe”, Ekpo said.

Ekpo also highlighted that this could be transformative for economies across the region, bringing increased industrialization and job creation to communities along the pipeline route.

The Minister also took the opportunity to acknowledge the role of the existing 678-kilometer West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), which currently supplies gas from Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

He praised WAGP’s achievements and resilience, noting its role in connecting Ghana’s domestic gas sources from its western to eastern coast.

Ekpo also pointed out that the success of the WAGP would not have been possible without the oversight of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), which has served as the regulator for WAGP countries for over two decades.

He stressed that WAGPA’s future role could be instrumental, given its extensive experience in regional gas regulation.

Ekpo described the initiative as a crucial opportunity to create a united vision for West Africa’s energy future.

“These agreements hold the power to reshape our energy landscape, strengthen our economies, and uplift our people,” he said,

He urged leaders to prioritize cooperation and resilience, while commending the commitment of energy experts who have worked tirelessly to develop the draft agreements, which are set to be presented to ECOWAS Heads of Government in December 2024 for final endorsement.

Ekpo also called on all ECOWAS members to support the region’s ambitions for energy security, sustainable infrastructure, and economic growth.

“Together, let us continue to advance the goals of energy security, sustainable infrastructure, and economic prosperity for all of Africa,” he stated.

Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, represented by Mahmuda Mamman, the Permanent Secretary noted that these would guide the region toward reliable and sustainable energy solutions.

“With more than 200 million people in West Africa lacking access to electricity, it is imperative that we take decisive actions,” he stated.

Mamman highlighted the vast potential of solar, wind, and hydro resources, noting that West Africa has the opportunity to not only address its own energy deficits but also to set an example for sustainable development.

“By harnessing these resources, we can drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for millions of citizens,” he added.

He stressed the importance of technologies and practices that reduce consumption while boosting productivity.

“This regulatory framework will ensure that we prioritize energy-efficient solutions that contribute to sustainable development and protect our environment for future generations,” he explained.

He also added that the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility represents a transformative step for the region.

He called on private sector partners and civil society groups to unite behind this vision, leveraging collective resources to turn policy into action that will benefit local communities.

“Together, we will overcome barriers and unlock the full potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency across our region,” he said.

He further urged a renewed commitment to the region’s sustainable energy future, acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing confidence that a collective approach would bring success.

The Minister commended the ECOWAS and its international partners for their persistent efforts in shaping the regulatory frameworks under discussion.

Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline will boost West African growth, renewable energy expansion- Stakeholders