Mouza Hasan Almarzooqi
The writer is a researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory
The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project reflects the African ambitions of 13 countries and a key path to development in Africa. The significance of the project, which aims to achieve stability in energy security for African and European countries, has increased in light of European developments, particularly in Europe, where the Ukraine war turned strategic attention towards energy sources after Europe faced a crisis in gas supplies.
With the world’s longest path of nearly 600 kilometres and an annual capacity of 30-40 billion cubic metres, the project is an example of African integration. It starts in Nigeria, which has a huge surplus of natural gas, to supply Nigerian gas to most Sub-Saharan African countries whose populations suffer from shortages of cooking fuel.
The pipeline will also supply three Sahel countries, namely Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, with natural gas. Morocco will also get gas because its annual local production does not exceed 100 million cubic metres, which is a low level compared to its desirable development needs. With the completion of the project, the pipeline will provide gas to all West African countries while exporting the surplus to Europe, given that the pipeline will be integrated into the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline and the European gas network.
Based on the above, it is clear that the project aims to maximise economic gains and fill the energy and development gaps in Africa. It is also a step on the road to regional integration and the socioeconomic development of countries in West Africa, even as countries through which the pipeline passes aim to link gas fields in Nigeria with African countries importing gas to accelerate the completion of power-generating projects at a sufficient level for the local consumption of those countries. It would also serve to improve the standard of living of citizens and increase the attractiveness of West African countries for investment to create job opportunities. The Morocco-Nigeria pipeline was not merely planned to shorten the distance and cut costs, but also as a development path and a vital artery for the lives of hundreds of millions of the population of African countries.
The project had its security challenges, especially since some of the pipeline countries witnessed troubles or activity by armed militias. Therefore, the project aims to contain trouble and address the causes of irregular migration through development. To this end, industrialisation would be incentivised, and stability enhanced. Security cannot be achieved without a comprehensive approach with economic development as one of its pillars.
That is why, ECOWAS has been looking forward to participating in the project to open prospects of cooperation between member countries in economy and energy with the likely increase of gas reserves in Senegal and Mauritania.
Another important challenge for the project is finance. Most studies have been completed, particularly in view of the huge finance required ($25 billion) and the cooperation of many countries. Morocco was assured of a UAE pledge to invest in the project when the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of 2023.
During the last few years, both the UAE and Morocco have established a strategic partnership in all fields. On the other hand, the Islamic Development Bank has expressed its readiness to finance the project. Other countries and institutions, including European ones, are also expected to join. Natural gas will continue to play a significant role for decades to come, and Europe needs gas.
The benefits of the project are not limited to supplying a great portion of Africa with energy and exporting it to Europe. They also include developing infrastructure and the transfer of technology and expertise related to the gas industry to African countries. It will also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through the provision of clean and sustainable energy. That is why Morocco adopted a win-win vision for maximising economic gains, achieving energy independence, and raising the level of South-South cooperation.
The project will contribute to economic integration between West and North Africa. It is also closely related to the energy transition through reliance on gas and alternative energy sources, especially since the project is environment-friendly. However, the project may need to accelerate the mobilisation of financial resources, set a clearer timeframe for execution, given that it may last 25 years, and overcome balancing challenges between project countries to achieve the desired results.