The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) has taken a significant step towards implementation after Heads of State from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) signed the project's Intergovernmental Agreement during the ECOWAS Summit held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The agreement provides fresh political momentum for one of Africa's most ambitious energy infrastructure projects, bringing participating countries closer to creating a cross-border natural gas network expected to transform energy access, strengthen regional trade and support industrial growth across West Africa and beyond.
The latest development follows approval granted during the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja in December 2024 and concludes the institutional process coordinated by the regional bloc after Nigeria and Morocco signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2022.
Pipeline Designed to Connect West Africa and Europe
Once completed, the pipeline will stretch nearly 6,900 kilometres along the Atlantic coastline, linking Nigeria to Morocco through 13 coastal West African countries while extending connections to landlocked Sahel states.
Designed to transport 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, the project will connect with the existing Maghreb Europe Gas Pipeline, creating a new energy corridor capable of supplying gas across West Africa while delivering up to 15 billion cubic metres to Morocco and European markets.
The project enjoys sovereign backing from Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania and ECOWAS member states. It is jointly being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Morocco's Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM).
Beyond gas transportation, the initiative is expected to improve electricity generation, encourage industrialisation, support value addition to natural resources and create new employment opportunities throughout the region.
Project promoters say considerable progress has already been made ahead of construction.
Front End Engineering Design studies have been completed, route reconnaissance surveys finalised and environmental and social impact assessments significantly advanced. Legal, commercial and regulatory frameworks have also been developed, laying the foundation for the next implementation phase.
The Intergovernmental Agreement signed in Freetown now provides the legal and political framework needed to move the project closer to execution.
A separate signing ceremony involving Morocco and Mauritania is expected to complete the intergovernmental framework in the coming months.
NNPC, ONHYM Reaffirm Commitment
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the signing as a defining moment for the project.
"This milestone reflects the clear mandate of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR," he said.
"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." - Engr. Bayo Ojulari
Director General of ONHYM, Mrs. Amina Benkhadra, said the agreement marks another important stage in delivering what she described as a strategic project built on the shared vision of Morocco and Nigeria.
"The project fully reflects His Majesty's vision for an integrated Atlantic Africa," she said.
Implementation Framework Takes Shape
Following the remaining signatures by Morocco and Mauritania, the project partners will establish the Pipeline Higher Authority in Abuja alongside the AAGP Project Company in Casablanca.
Those institutions will oversee implementation, coordinate participating countries and prepare the project for its Final Investment Decision.
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline was originally conceived under the leadership of Nigeria's late President Muhammadu Buhari and Morocco's King Mohammed VI. The initiative continues to receive the backing of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ECOWAS member states and international development partners.
If delivered as planned, the pipeline is expected to reshape the region's energy landscape by connecting gas-producing nations with new markets, strengthening energy security and supporting economic integration across West Africa while opening another strategic supply route to Europe.
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