ECOWAS Clears Major Hurdle for Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline

The ambitious Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline has taken a significant leap forward after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) approved a landmark agreement aimed at accelerating the multi-billion-dollar regional energy project.

The agreement was endorsed during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where regional leaders adopted the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline. The pact establishes the legal and governance framework needed to drive the project’s implementation.

Jointly developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), the pipeline is expected to span about 6,900 kilometres, making it one of Africa’s largest energy infrastructure projects. It will transport natural gas from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco, with plans to eventually connect to the European gas network.

Nigeria’s delegation to the summit was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, hailed the agreement as a major milestone, describing it as a testament to West Africa’s shared commitment to regional integration, energy security and sustainable economic development.

Beyond strengthening energy cooperation, the project is expected to improve access to cleaner energy across participating countries, stimulate industrial growth, create thousands of jobs and attract significant foreign investment. It is also seen as a strategic initiative that will enhance energy connectivity between West Africa, North Africa and Europe.

Originally proposed in 2016 by former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, the pipeline has evolved into a flagship regional project backed by ECOWAS. The latest agreement paves the way for the establishment of a dedicated project company and the next phase of technical, financial and institutional preparations.

Although construction has yet to begin, the signing marks one of the most important milestones in the project’s development, reinforcing the commitment of West African leaders to transform the region into a major energy hub while unlocking new economic opportunities for millions across the continent.