In a significant stride towards continental energy integration, Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have officially signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the highly anticipated African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP). This crucial endorsement, secured at the recent ECOWAS Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, provides the sovereign backing essential to advance the ambitious infrastructure project.
The landmark development was formally announced on Monday by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited). The AAGP is designed to be a transformative regional project, linking Nigeria’s extensive gas reserves with burgeoning markets across West Africa, the Sahel, Morocco, and ultimately, Europe.
A Megaproject for Regional Prosperity and Global Supply
Jointly promoted by NNPC Limited and Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), the AAGP is planned to stretch nearly 6,900 kilometres along the West African Atlantic coast. Upon completion, this colossal pipeline is projected to transport an estimated 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, establishing a vital energy artery connecting gas-producing countries with major demand centres, including landlocked nations in the Sahel.
Crucially, the AAGP is set to create a new energy corridor by connecting the West African coast to the existing Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline. This strategic link will open an unprecedented route for African gas to reach both Moroccan and European markets, with NNPC estimating that up to 15 billion cubic metres of the pipeline’s annual capacity could be supplied to these destinations.
Catalyst for Development and Energy Security
The impact of the AAGP extends far beyond gas transportation. It is expected to be a powerful catalyst for regional development, supporting enhanced electricity generation, improving energy access for underserved populations, and driving widespread industrialisation. By providing a reliable and affordable gas supply, the project will facilitate the creation of new industrial value chains and deepen economic integration across the continent.
Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, highlighted the leadership’s commitment. “This milestone reflects the clear mandate of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The AAGP is central to delivering that mandate by providing the infrastructure required to bring about 3 bcf/d of Nigerian gas to market. NNPC Limited is proud to co-lead this endeavour with ONHYM,” Ojulari affirmed.
For Nigeria, which possesses some of Africa’s largest natural gas reserves but has faced infrastructure constraints, the AAGP represents a significant opportunity to fully monetise these resources, boost export earnings, and solidify its role as a major gas supplier. For other West African and Sahelian nations, the pipeline promises access to essential gas supplies for power generation and industrial expansion, directly addressing critical energy security needs.
Advancing Towards Implementation
The project, initiated under the shared vision of the late Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, continues to receive robust support from President Bola Tinubu. The ECOWAS signing formalises an approval granted at the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Summit held in Abuja in December 2024, building upon the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Morocco.
Amina Benkhadra, Director-General of ONHYM, underscored the collaborative spirit. “This event represents another major milestone in the realisation of the AAGP, a strategic project jointly developed by ONHYM and NNPC Ltd. under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The Project fully reflects His Majesty’s vision for an integrated Atlantic Africa,” she stated.
Extensive preparatory work has already been completed, including Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, detailed route reconnaissance surveys, comprehensive environmental and social studies, and the establishment of key legal, regulatory, and commercial frameworks. These critical steps have positioned the project for its imminent implementation phase.
Next Key Steps:
- The final stage of the intergovernmental framework will involve the signing of the agreement by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
- A Pipeline Higher Authority will be established in Abuja, Nigeria, to provide strategic governance.
- An AAGP Project Company will be set up in Casablanca, Morocco, to manage day-to-day operations and project execution.
- These new institutions will collectively guide the project towards a Final Investment Decision (FID), paving the way for construction.
Project promoters remain steadfast in their commitment to developing the AAGP in strict adherence to international standards of technical excellence, environmental responsibility, and sound governance. The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is poised to become one of Africa’s most significant energy infrastructure projects, fostering economic integration and sustainable development across the region and enhancing global energy supply.