Morocco and Nigeria confirm construction of gas pipeline to link the two countries over 5,660 km

According to a statement from the Royal Cabinet of Morocco, King Mohammed VI had a telephone conversation with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on January 31 during which the two men expressed their commitment to the construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline. . The project, which was launched in 2016 by the two leaders, consists of connecting the two countries with a 5,660 km pipeline, supposed to leave the Atlantic coast in Lagos, in southwestern Nigeria, to reach Tangier, in the northern Morocco.

It will transport natural gas produced in Nigeria through 11 countries in West Africa. Once in the Shereefian kingdom, the gas will then be channeled to existing infrastructure to supply Spain. Estimated to cost between $ 20 billion and $ 25 billion, it is one of Africa’s most ambitious energy projects. 

A feasibility study was carried out in 2019 and suggests a realization in stages over 25 years. “During this meeting, the two heads of state welcomed the dynamic experienced by bilateral relations in all fields, since the royal visit to Nigeria in 2016 and that of President Buhari to the Kingdom in June 2018”, the statement said. 

 For many analysts, the project could either never be operational or experience difficulties once launched. Nigeria is already struggling to meet half of its internal demand as well as its regional natural gas commitments. However, both domestically and regionally, demand continues to climb, particularly for electricity production. It is expected to grow more and more over the next few years as the country works to reduce its dependence on oil to shift to cleaner energies, including natural gas. 

As for Morocco, which is a marginal producer of natural gas, it plans to have a small-scale fuel liquefaction plant before the end of this year. 

Source Ecofin Agency