Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria have yet again confirmed their commitment to the implementation of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP). In late July, a Memorandum of Understanding was struck by the energy ministers of the three nations during a meeting in Algiers.
Reportedly the ministers, i.e Mohamed Arkab of Algeria and his counterparts from Nigeria, Timipre Sylva, and Niger, Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, 1st discussed aspects of the project including the status of progress. At the moment, no indication has been given as to when the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project will be completed.
The signing of the MoU in Algiers comes barely a month after the 3 countries established a task force and a roadmap for the development of the TSGP. This took place in a meeting carried out in Abuja. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Petroleum in Nigeria, Niger, and Algeria.
The Director Generals of national oil companies (NOCs) of the 3 African nations were also present.
The two-day meeting also resulted in the formation of a Steering Committee. The committee will be in charge of updating the TSGP feasibility study. It is made up of the three 3 and the Director Generals of the NOCs.
The Niger minister of Petroleum commends all parties for taking this important step. He also sees the task force’s formation and the roadmap as key aspects of realizing the TSGP. Another meeting was be held in Algiers at the end of July 2022 to decide the way forward with the project.