The Heads of State of Nigeria and Morocco have reiterated their dedication to the construction of a joint gas pipeline – according to a study by the Royal Cabinet of Morocco – which will dramatically increase energy access across West Africa.
The pipeline – estimated to cost $25 billion – will extend the lifespan of the existing West African gas pipeline currently serving Benin, Togo and Ghana, as well as connecting with Spain through Cadiz.
The 5.660-km pipeline is the brainchild of an agreement between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the National Hydrocarbons and Mines Board of Morocco (ONHYM) and is intended to boost access to energy across the West African region while facilitating gas exports to Europe.
NNPC and ONHYM submitted a proposal for a pipeline at a special meeting of the Economic Community of West African States in August 2019.
Access to affordable, stable energy supply is one of the major barriers to growth for West African countries and has slowed down the development of sectors, including food production, processing and downstream industries.