Minister of Energy: Morocco-Nigeria Pipeline To Boost Development, Regional Economic Integration

Rabat – The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project serves as a catalyst for development, regional economic integration, as well as a source of interconnection between Africa and Europe, stated Leila Benali, Minister of Energy and Sustainable Development on Monday.

During the weekly oral interrogation session in the House of Representatives, Benali reviewed the progress of this strategic project – called Gazoduc — which was launched under the auspices of King Mohammed VI and former Nigerian President Muhammadu Bahari.

She noted that “most of the feasibility and technical design studies have been completed, as has the identification of the pipeline’s optimal route, which will be connected to the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline.”

This strategic project will have a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters per year of natural gas, with an overall investment envelope that amounts to $25 billion. Benali also detailed that between 2022 and 2023, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed, consolidating regional cooperation.

The minister added that the project’s parent company SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle), will be responsible for the pipeline’s governance and management.

She also detailed that the development of the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline would be carried out in multiple phases. The first phase, the “Senegal-Mauritania-Morocco” phase, is a topographic survey that is currently underway.

Benali recalled last March’s signing of a strategic MoU between the Ministries of the Interior, Economy, and Finance, Equipment and Water, and Energy and Sustainable Development to launch the roadmap for gas infrastructure.

Considered one of the most critical projects launched on the African continent, the Gazoduc pipeline, according to Benali, underlines the role of natural gas as a key component of Morocco’s energy transition strategy.

The pipeline will run along the West African coast from Nigeria through 13 African countries, connecting to the European market via Spain.

The project promises considerable economic benefits such as job creation and industrial development, positioning Morocco as a pioneer in green hydrogen.