… ECOWAS Leaders Endorse Transformative 6,900km Energy Corridor Linking West Africa, Sahel, Morocco, and Europe
Rashidat O. Okunlade Writes, Lagos
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) project has received a monumental push towards realisation, following the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) by Heads of State of ECOWAS Member States at the regional bloc’s summit held in Freetown over the weekend.
The landmark agreement transforms what was once a vision into a sovereign-backed infrastructure project of continental scale, designed to unlock West Africa’s vast natural gas resources, connect them to major demand centres, integrate African energy markets, and establish a strategic development corridor linking West Africa, the Sahel, Morocco, and Europe.
With a designed capacity of 30 billion cubic metres of gas per year, the project spans nearly 6,900 kilometres along the West African Atlantic coast and enjoys sovereign backing from Nigeria, Morocco, ECOWAS member countries, and Mauritania. It is jointly led by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM).
From Vision to Reality
The latest signing gives practical effect to the approval granted at the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Summit in Abuja in December 2024. It also concludes the institutional process coordinated by ECOWAS following the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Morocco, reaffirming the strong commitment of participating States to the project.
A subsequent ceremony will complete the intergovernmental framework with signatures by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Initiated under the shared vision of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the project continues to enjoy the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is being jointly promoted by NNPC Ltd. and ONHYM, with strong backing from ECOWAS, participating countries, and international partners.
Milestones Achieved
Significant progress has already been recorded, including:
Completion of Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies,
Finalisation of route reconnaissance surveys,
Advancement of environmental and social studies,
Establishment of key legal, regulatory, and commercial frameworks.
These milestones position the project firmly on the implementation track, with the AAGP set to run from Nigeria to Morocco through thirteen Atlantic coastal countries, with interconnections serving landlocked Sahel nations.
A New Energy Corridor
Linked to the Maghreb, Europe Gas Pipeline, the AAGP will create a new energy corridor with an annual capacity of 30 billion cubic metres (bcm), including up to 15 bcm for supply to Morocco and European markets. It is expected to:
Enhance regional gas supply,
Support electricity generation,
Drive industrialisation,
Enable value addition to natural resources,
Foster new industrial value chains and sustainable employment across West Africa.
Leadership Speaks
Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, described the signing as the sovereign foundation required to move the project from vision to delivery.
“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.”
Mrs. Amina Benkhadra, Director General of ONHYM, said the event represents another major milestone in the realisation of the AAGP, a strategic project jointly developed under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Project fully reflects His Majesty’s vision for an integrated Atlantic Africa,” she stated.
Next Steps
Following the forthcoming signatures by Morocco and Mauritania, the Project will establish the Pipeline Higher Authority (PHA) in Abuja and the AAGP Project Company in Casablanca to oversee implementation and prepare for the Final Investment Decision (FID).
NNPC Ltd. and ONHYM reaffirm their commitment to advancing the AAGP in line with the highest international standards of technical excellence, environmental responsibility, and good governance.
For Media Inquiry Contact: ROTA Media Concepts
Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
Publisher Editor in-Chief BusinessEcho Magazine Print monthly and ROTAMediaNews digital newspaper publication
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About the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP)
The AAGP is a transformative regional infrastructure project designed to unlock West Africa’s natural gas resources, integrate African energy markets, and establish a strategic development corridor linking West Africa, the Sahel, Morocco, and Europe. Jointly promoted by NNPC Ltd. and ONHYM, the project has sovereign backing from Nigeria, Morocco, ECOWAS member countries, and Mauritania.
About NNPC Limited
NNPC Limited is Nigeria’s premier energy company, driving value creation across the hydrocarbon value chain and championing energy security, industrialisation, and sustainable development for the benefit of all Nigerians.
About ONHYM
The Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) is Morocco’s national hydrocarbon and mining authority, responsible for the exploration, development, and commercialisation of the Kingdom’s energy and mineral resources.
