A structured reference of natural gas pipelines across the continent — from Nigeria's dense domestic network to cross-Saharan export corridors. Built on GEM data, enriched with APRN analysis.
The Imperative
Nigeria holds an estimated 215 trillion cubic feetof natural gas reserves — the largest in Africa and roughly one-third of the continent's total deposits. Despite this, the country has historically flared or under-utilised associated gas while importing refined petroleum.
In 2021, Nigeria declared a Decade of Gas (2021–2030) — a strategic pivot to monetise gas reserves through domestic utilisation, gas-to-power, and LNG export. The regulatory architecture has shifted accordingly: the NMDPRA (Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority) now governs gas distribution, open access regulations, and grid expansion.
NMDPRA is developing a gas distribution grid mapping and gas distribution master plan that will define where new pipelines will be built and how third parties can access existing infrastructure under open access rules.
Key Facts
Gas Classification
Gas that comes out of the ground alongside crude oil during oil production. Historically flared in Nigeria — now being captured and monetised through gas gathering infrastructure connecting to the distribution network.
Dedicated gas deposits that exist independently of oil fields. Nigeria has substantial non-associated reserves that are the primary focus of new domestic gas infrastructure and the backbone of the Decade of Gas programme.
NMDPRA is developing regulations requiring pipeline owners to allow third-party access — meaning gas producers and distributors can use existing pipeline capacity rather than building parallel infrastructure. Transforms the market structure.
Status Breakdown — 229 Gas Pipelines
View full database →Notable Gas Corridors
At 614 km (Phase 1: Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano), the AKK is Nigeria's single largest gas transmission infrastructure project. It connects southern gas fields to northern industrial markets and is central to Nigeria's Decade of Gas ambitions (2021–2030). Operated by NNPC Gas Transportation Ltd, it will unlock stranded gas reserves and directly enable gas-to-power projects across three northern states.
View corridor pageResearch Focus
APRN workforce capacity case study examining engineering talent requirements for large-scale gas pipeline construction and operation in West Africa — specifically compressor station engineering, welding certification, and operations staffing.
Why AKK Was Chosen
AKK is the most active major gas pipeline project in Nigeria, with construction ongoing and a defined operational timeline. It represents the workforce demands of Nigeria's gas expansion at scale, making it an ideal benchmark for capacity gap analysis.
Full Database
Filter by country, status and operator across the full African gas pipeline network — or switch to crude oil to compare.