The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has signed an intergovernmental agreement that backs the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, marking a concrete step toward launching the continent‑spanning project.
Agreement signed in Sierra Leone
On Sunday, representatives from the member states gathered in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to endorse the deal, according to a joint statement released by Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). The pact formalizes ECOWAS’s collective support for the pipeline, which aims to move up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas each year from Nigeria through 13 West African nations to Morocco.
Of that volume, 15 bcm per year is earmarked for Morocco and for export to Europe via the existing pipeline that links Morocco to Spain. The agreement follows a series of memoranda of understanding signed between NNPC and individual West African countries since 2022.
The statement noted that the feasibility study and Front‑End Engineering Design (FEED) phases have been completed, clearing a major technical hurdle.
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Project scope and timeline
The pipeline will stretch roughly 6,900 kilometres, combining offshore and onshore sections. Its route traverses a dozen nations, creating a new corridor for gas delivery that could reshape regional energy markets. The next scheduled milestone is a bilateral agreement between Morocco and Mauritania, which is expected to be signed in the presence of Nigeria’s president.
In March 2024, NNPC’s then Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, indicated that a final investment decision should be taken before the end of the year. That timeline reflects ongoing efforts to secure financing and to align cross‑border regulations.
Funding remains a key challenge.
While the project promises to boost electricity generation, support mining operations, and aid industrialisation across participating states, it has encountered typical obstacles for a venture of this scale, including the need for large‑scale funding and the logistical complexity of building one of the world’s longest offshore gas pipelines.
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From a broader perspective, the pipeline could serve as a catalyst for deeper economic ties among West African economies. By linking abundant Nigerian gas reserves with markets that currently rely on imported fuels, the corridor may reduce price volatility and encourage coordinated policy frameworks. Such integration aligns with long‑standing regional goals of shared infrastructure and collective growth.
In addition to the financing aspect, the agreement highlights the strategic intent to diversify Europe’s energy sources. The portion of gas destined for European markets will travel through existing Moroccan‑Spanish links, offering an alternative supply route that could complement other pipelines under development.
The ECOWAS endorsement brings the project closer to the stage where detailed contracts with construction firms and lenders can be negotiated. With the feasibility and design phases already cleared, the focus now shifts to mobilising the estimated $25 billion required to bring the pipeline to life.
Overall, the signing in Freetown represents a tangible move from planning to implementation for one of Africa’s most ambitious energy infrastructure initiatives.