What's happened
West African leaders have endorsed a multi-country gas pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco, connecting to Europe’s Maghreb pipeline. The €25 billion project aims to transport up to 30 bcm/year, spanning 13 countries and boosting regional energy security. Financing and governance will now proceed toward a final investment decision.
What's behind the headline?
Key context and implications
- Africa’s energy strategy is shifting toward regional integration and direct export routes to Europe, reducing dependence on intermediaries.
- The project could spur electricity generation and industrial development in participating countries, widening access to natural gas.
- Financing risk remains high given a $25 billion bill and the need for political consensus among 13 nations plus disputed Western Sahara territory.
- Unlike the Trans-Saharan route, this Atlantic project largely avoids Sahel insecurity, though offshore construction raises costs and security considerations.
What readers should watch
- How quickly the Project Company and Pipeline Higher Authority mobilize investors for the Final Investment Decision.
- Security arrangements across multiple borders to protect long gas pipelines.
- The timeline for segment-by-segment construction and regional economic impact.
How we got here
The Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline has moved from planning to a governance phase as ECOWAS members endorse the project. Morocco’s ONHYM and Nigeria’s NNPC lead the effort, with a Casablanca-based project company and Abuja-based higher authority to oversee financing ahead of a final investment decision. The route aims to diversify energy supply for Europe while unlocking West Africa’s gas resources.
Our analysis
All Africa reports from July 20-21, 2026, plus BBC and Bloomberg summaries confirming ECOWAS endorsement, governance arrangements, and cost estimates. Direct quotes from ECOWAS officials and energy experts appear across outlets, underscoring a shared emphasis on regional integration and Europe-facing export potential.
Go deeper
- What is the timeline for the Final Investment Decision?
- Which countries hold the largest stakes in the project, and how will risks be shared?
- How will this pipeline affect electricity security and prices in West Africa?
More on these topics
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Nigeria - Country in West Africa
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.
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Morocco - Country in North Africa
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th
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Europe - Region in Europe
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Sierra Leone - Country in West Africa
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Mauritania - Country in Africa
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Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The capital and most populous city is Algiers, located in the far north of the country on the Mediterranean coast.
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Niger - Country in West Africa
Niger or the Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa named after the Niger River. Niger is bordered by Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria to the south, Benin to the southwest, Mali to the north-we
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Abuja - Capital of Nigeria
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Trans-Saharan gas pipeline
The Trans-Saharan gas pipeline is a planned natural gas pipeline from Nigeria to Algeria. It is seen as an opportunity to diversify the European Union's gas supplies.
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Economic Community of West African States
The Economic Community of West African States, also known as ECOWAS, is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa.
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Senegal - Country in West Africa
Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country in West Africa. Senegal is bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest.
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West Africa - Region in Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, N
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Casablanca - Largest city of Morocco
Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and the country's economic and business centre. Located on the Atlantic coast of the Chaouia plain in the central-western part of Morocco, the city has a population of about 3.22 million in the urban area, and over 4.27 million in Greater Casablanca, making it the most populous city in the Maghreb region, and the ninth-largest in the Arab world. The Port of Casablanca is one of the largest artificial ports in Africa, and the third-largest port in North Africa, after Tanger-Med (40 km or 25 mi east of Tangier) and Port Said. Casablanca also hosts the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy. Casablanca is a significant financial centre, ranking 54th globally in the September 2023 Global Financial Centres Index rankings, between Brussels and Rome. The Casablanca Stock Exchange is Africa's third-largest in terms of market capitalization, as of December 2022. Major Moroccan companies and many of the largest American and European companies operating in the country have their headquarters and main industrial facilities in Casablanca. Recent industrial statistics show that Casablanca is the main industrial zone in the country.