Freetown, July 22, 2026 (Khyber Mail) — The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held Sunday in Freetown, witnessed the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP).
The nearly 6,800 km energy infrastructure will transport natural gas from Nigeria to Morocco, before connecting to the European gas network. The signing marks the collective endorsement of the project by ECOWAS member states, an initiative originally launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, with continued support from current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The project is jointly developed by Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).
The agreement paves the way for the next implementation phase, including the establishment of the Project Company headquartered in Casablanca, and the Pipeline Higher Authority in Abuja. This will precede investor mobilization and preparation of the Final Investment Decision (FID). A dedicated ceremony in Morocco will later mark the signing of the Agreement by Morocco and Mauritania, in the presence of Nigeria’s President.
Once completed, the pipeline will cross thirteen countries along Africa’s Atlantic coast and connect to the Maghreb–Europe gas pipeline in northern Morocco. With a transport capacity of 30 billion cubic meters annually, up to 15 billion cubic meters could be exported to Morocco and Europe, while the remainder will supply regional markets.
Estimated at $25 billion, the AAGP aims to establish an integrated regional natural gas market across West Africa, supporting electricity generation, industrialization, and resource development. Commissioning of the first pipeline segments is expected at the beginning of the next decade.
The ownership of the project by ECOWAS member states strengthens its political and institutional foundation, reinforcing the vision of Nigeria and Morocco that Africa’s energy security is a driver of sovereignty, industrialization, and shared prosperity. ONHYM and NNPC Ltd confirmed that engineering, environmental, and technical studies have been completed, enabling the project to gradually enter its operational phase.
Beyond energy, the pipeline is envisioned as a development corridor, connecting African economies and enhancing regional integration and competitiveness.