Morocco has intensified diplomatic efforts to advance the long-delayed Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project following a series of high-level meetings in Washington aimed at attracting international backing for the multibillion-dollar initiative.
The Moroccan National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), led by Director-General Amina Benkhadra, held discussions this week with US government agencies, international organisations and policy institutions to promote the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project and Morocco’s expanding role in energy and strategic minerals.
The Nigeria-Morocco pipeline is one of Africa’s largest proposed energy infrastructure projects and is increasingly viewed as a strategic corridor linking West African gas reserves to European markets as countries seek alternatives to disrupted global supply chains.
The Washington meetings come as Rabat and Abuja move closer to signing an intergovernmental agreement on the estimated $25 bn project, which would become one of the world’s longest offshore and onshore gas pipelines.
According to ONHYM, key feasibility studies and front-end engineering design work have now been completed, clearing an important technical hurdle for the proposed 6,900 km infrastructure corridor.
The pipeline is designed to transport Nigerian natural gas along Africa’s Atlantic coast through 13 countries before reaching Morocco, where supplies could be directed toward domestic markets and European exports.
Participating states include Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin.
Morocco has increasingly framed the project as a strategic African integration initiative rather than simply an export route to Europe. Earlier reporting by Africa Briefing on Nigeria-Morocco gas corridor highlighted the growing geopolitical importance of the route.
Officials in Rabat argue the project could transform Morocco into a key energy gateway linking Africa and Europe while helping West African states expand electricity generation and industrial development.
Morocco World News first reported details of the Washington meetings, which focused on strengthening international awareness of the project and attracting institutional support.
In recent statements to international media, Benkhadra said the pipeline would support economic integration across West Africa and stimulate mining and manufacturing growth in participating countries.
The project also aligns with Morocco’s broader energy ambitions, including efforts to strengthen renewable energy exports, hydrogen development and critical minerals partnerships with Western governments.
Energy analysts say Morocco is seeking to capitalise on Europe’s push to diversify gas imports following years of supply instability and geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets after the Russia-Ukraine conflict reshaped energy security priorities.
The project has received backing from the Economic Community of West African States, which views the initiative as a major regional infrastructure project capable of reshaping cross-border energy access. Africa Briefing previously reported on the ECOWAS approval process surrounding the development.
Despite growing diplomatic activity, financing remains one of the biggest obstacles facing the project.
Moroccan officials have acknowledged that no final funding commitments have yet been secured, although discussions are ongoing with international lenders and investors.
A joint venture between ONHYM and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company is expected to oversee financing, construction and implementation once the intergovernmental agreement is finalised.
Rather than waiting for a single final investment decision, Morocco says the pipeline will be developed in phases, with different sections designed to operate independently to allow earlier commercial returns.
Initial phases are expected to connect Morocco with gas reserves in Mauritania and Senegal before later extensions deepen links across West Africa and eventually connect fully to Nigeria’s gas fields.
Officials estimate that first gas deliveries from early sections of the project could begin by 2031, reinforcing expectations that the scheme could become a major driver of industrialisation and regional energy integration across West Africa.
The Nigeria-Morocco project is also emerging as a geopolitical rival to the proposed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline backed by Nigeria, Niger and Algeria.
While the Algerian route would cross the Sahara Desert toward Mediterranean export terminals, Morocco’s Atlantic route is being promoted as a potentially more stable and economically integrated alternative.
The renewed push in Washington suggests Morocco is seeking stronger US political and financial support as global competition intensifies over future energy corridors linking Africa and Europe.
Credit: Africa Briefing
