Nigeria is stepping up efforts to attract international investment for its ambitious gas pipeline project linking the country to Morocco, as preparations move towards the next phase of development.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is seeking investors for the proposed Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline, also known as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), with an estimated development cost of between $25 billion and $26 billion. NNPC's Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this while speaking at the ADIPEC conference in Abu Dhabi, noting that discussions were ongoing with potential partners, including the United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
Jointly developed by NNPC and Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), the project is designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas annually across approximately 6,800 kilometres. Its proposed route will pass through 13 Atlantic coastal countries, with additional connections serving landlocked nations in the Sahel region.
Building a Gas Network Across West Africa
Beyond connecting Nigeria to Morocco, the pipeline is intended to create a regional gas transportation network linking producers with markets across West Africa. Approximately 15 bcm of its planned annual capacity is expected to supply Morocco and European markets through the existing Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, which connects Morocco to Spain.
One notable aspect of the development strategy is its phased approach. Rather than constructing the entire network from the beginning, NNPC intends to leverage existing infrastructure, including the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), which currently transports gas from Nigeria to Benin, Togo and Ghana. The company plans to extend the existing network towards Sierra Leone before progressing with additional sections.
According to Ojulari, the approach will allow the project to demonstrate operational progress while gradually expanding its reach and attracting further investment.
The project has already recorded several development milestones, including the completion of Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, route reconnaissance surveys and progress on environmental, social and regulatory assessments. In July 2026, participating ECOWAS countries also signed an intergovernmental agreement supporting its implementation.
What This Means for Africa's Energy Industry
The proposed pipeline represents more than an export route for Nigerian gas. By connecting multiple countries to a shared transportation network, it could expand access to natural gas for electricity generation, industrial activities and regional energy trade.
For Nigeria, the project offers an opportunity to expand its gas market beyond domestic consumption while creating additional routes to international buyers. For participating countries, it presents prospects for improved energy access, infrastructure investment and regional economic cooperation.
However, securing the estimated $26 billion financing, coordinating construction across multiple jurisdictions and establishing long-term gas supply agreements remain significant challenges.
With NNPC now engaging potential investors, the focus is shifting towards turning the project's extensive planning and regional agreements into a financially viable infrastructure development.
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