Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project advances as multiple countries sign MoUs
In a significant development for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed at the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The signing ceremony marks a crucial milestone for the project, which aims to enhance gas monetization and establish an alternative export route to Europe.
The tripartite MoUs were signed between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) of Morocco, along with the Société Nationale des Opérations Pétrolières of Cote d’Ivoire (PETROCI), the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures of Benin (SNH-Benin), and the Société Nationale des Pétroles of the Republic of Guinea (SONAP).
The MoUs demonstrate the commitment of the involved parties to the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, following similar agreements previously signed with ECOWAS, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Ghana. The project aims to optimize the utilization of natural gas resources and facilitate economic growth across the participating African countries.
The signing ceremony took place during the meeting of the project’s Steering Committee, attended by representatives from ECOWAS and all participating countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco.
The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project holds great potential for advancing energy access, improving living conditions, fostering regional integration, and addressing environmental concerns such as desertification. By providing a sustainable and reliable gas supply, it aligns with Africa’s commitment to clean and efficient energy sources while opening up new economic and strategic opportunities for the continent.
Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Government for entrusting NNPC Ltd. with the responsibility of overseeing this crucial project as the National Energy Company. He emphasized that the project offers an opportunity to leverage Nigeria’s abundant hydrocarbon resources, promote energy access, and contribute to economic development, industrialization, and job creation across Africa and beyond.
Amina Benkhadra, the Director General of ONHYM, hailed the signing of the MoUs as a progressive step towards achieving social and economic development through enhanced energy security and accessibility. She emphasized the importance of African-led efforts to drive comprehensive development on the continent.
Mr. Sédiko Douka, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitization, underscored the significance of the gas pipeline project in strengthening regional electricity production capacity, fostering industrial and agricultural growth, and supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources.
