Algeria has just deployed four Su-30 fighter jets to Niger, breaking with its traditional military restraint outside its borders. This new posture comes as Algiers seeks to regain influence lost in the Sahel, particularly in the face of Morocco’s advance.
Morocco and Nigeria are preparing to sign a decisive agreement by end of 2026 for the construction of their transatlantic gas pipeline. A colossal energy project that will cross several coastal countries on the African continent.
A monumental gas pipeline project linking Nigeria to Morocco promises to revolutionize the energy market. Stretching across thirteen countries, this major infrastructure aims to secure and diversify Europe’s gas supply by 2031.
Morocco and Nigeria will sign the agreement for the $25 billion giant gas pipeline this year. This 6,900 km project, strategic for Africa and Europe, is expected to deliver its first cubic meters of gas by 2031.
The Morocco presents the Atlantic Africa Gas Pipeline as a major infrastructure for regional integration and supply to Europe, but a recent analysis depicts a much darker economic reality. According to the North Africa Risk Consulting (NARCO) firm, this mega-project connecting Nigeria to Morocco would be a financial sinkhole whose amortization would require nearly three centuries.
Morocco is actively working on implementing the transatlantic gas pipeline with Nigeria. The realization of this megaproject, along with the exploitation of potential gas deposits in the kingdom, should allow it to achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2030.
The Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, announced the completion of feasibility studies and preliminary engineering for the Atlantic gas pipeline project between Morocco and Nigeria, indicating that the Chinese company Jingye will supply the steel for the pipes of the gas infrastructure.
The United States has expressed its desire to support the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project, announced Wale Edun, Nigerian Minister of Finance and Economic Coordination, on Saturday.
A Chinese steel giant is showing interest in the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline that is to connect West Africa to Europe via Morocco.
The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline should see a major turning point in the coming months. The two countries are said to be planning to sign a multilateral agreement as part of this project by next December.
Equatorial Guinea has recently signed an agreement with Nigeria for the construction of a gas pipeline connecting the two countries. The announcement of this new partnership has raised questions about the future of gas pipeline projects between Nigeria and Morocco on the one hand, and Algeria on the other, intended to serve Europe.
The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project is progressing. The engineering study and preliminary design (FEED) should start by September, after the feasibility studies which are already completed.