Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project set to move forward

Morocco has taken a decisive step in the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, a development The Arab Weekly plus agencies reported on July 14th. The initiative has entered its first practical phase, focusing on linking the northern port of Nador to the southern city of Dakhla — a key stage in establishing a future strategic energy corridor across the continent.

This progress follows the completion of extensive technical and environmental reviews, moving the project beyond feasibility studies into operational and logistical preparations. The 25 billion project, co-financed by the UAE, is set to enhance Morocco’s domestic energy infrastructure while expanding crucial connections with West Africa and European markets.

The announcement made by Amina Benkhadra, Director General of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbures and Mines (ONHYM) on June 25th, has seen more details being revealed during the recent OPEC seminar in Vienna on July 9th-10th, where Morocco’s Energy Minister Leila Benali stated that a $6 billion investment will be launched this July to develop the Nador-Dakhla section.

On July 10th-11th, Rabat hosted high-level sessions involving the project’s technical and steering committees. These meetings concluded with a memorandum of understanding between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), and the Togolese Gas Company — marking a significant step toward operational coordination.

According to Amina Benkhadra, the final framework agreement is expected in 2025, with a special-purpose joint venture currently in development. A final investment decision is anticipated by the end of next year, positioning Morocco to consolidate its role as a regional energy hub and advance Africa-Europe partnerships through this strategic energy corridor.

The Arab Weekly plus agencies, Energy Capital & Power, Maghrebi.org