By SCM Energy Desk
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — In a major step toward continental energy independence and economic integration, Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have officially signed the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the actualisation of the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) project.
The landmark signing took place during the ECOWAS Heads of State Summit hosted in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The event brings to a successful conclusion the institutional and regulatory consensus-building process initiated across West Africa following the initial 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco.
The agreement gives practical legal effect to the framework approved during the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja, establishing the sovereign framework necessary to attract global financiers and infrastructure investors.
Unlocking West Africa’s Natural Gas Potential
Jointly promoted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is envisioned as one of the world’s most ambitious cross-border energy infrastructure endeavors.
Spanning nearly 6,900 kilometres along the West African Atlantic coast, the pipeline will traverse 13 coastal nations—stretching from Nigeria through Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania to Morocco. Specialized interconnections and spur lines are also designed to supply landlocked Sahelian nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Upon full completion, the system will carry 30 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas annually—roughly equivalent to 3 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d). Up to 15 bcm per year will meet expanding industrial and domestic demand across West Africa, while the remaining volume will connect directly into the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline in northern Morocco for export to European markets seeking energy supply diversification.
Reacting to the milestone, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, stated that the endorsement by West African leaders grants the project the sovereign certainty required to transition from strategic planning to physical delivery.
”This milestone reflects the clear mandate of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to commercialise Nigeria’s vast gas reserves and power regional growth,” Ojulari noted. “The AAGP is central to delivering that mandate by providing the critical infrastructure required to bring about 3 bcf/d of Nigerian gas to market. NNPC Limited is proud to co-lead this endeavour alongside ONHYM.”
Similarly, the Director General of ONHYM, Mrs. Amina Benkhadra, hailed the Freetown signing as a monumental turning point. She highlighted that the project embodies the shared vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an integrated, prosperous Atlantic Africa anchored on energy sovereignty and regional competitiveness.
Detailed Background: From the Nigeria–Morocco Vision to AAGP
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is the culmination of years of diplomatic and engineering collaboration.
2016–2017: The initiative was first conceived in late 2016 during a historic state visit by King Mohammed VI of Morocco to Nigeria, where he met with former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Joint feasibility studies launched in 2017 confirmed the technical and commercial viability of connecting West Africa’s gas supplies directly to North Africa and Europe.
Integrating Existing Networks: To maximize efficiency and reduce capital expenditure, the AAGP merges two major initiatives: the expansion of the existing West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP)—which currently links Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana—and the broader Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project.
Completed Preparatory Work: According to technical updates released by NNPC Ltd and ONHYM, major pre-construction engineering phases have already been completed. These include detailed Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA), route reconnaissance surveys, and maritime environmental mapping.
Nigeria holds Africa’s largest proven natural gas reserves, estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet (tcf). However, inadequate pipeline infrastructure has historically resulted in structural gas flaring and restricted commercial domestic utilization. The AAGP offers Nigeria a permanent structural vent to monetize its gas resources, drastically reduce flaring, generate foreign exchange, and drive cleaner industrial development across the sub-region.
Governance Framework and Next Steps Toward FID
With the Signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement by ECOWAS Member States, the project enters an active operational rollout:
Formalization with Non-ECOWAS Partners: A dedicated follow-up signing ceremony will take place between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to complete full intergovernmental backing.
Institutional Setup: Two core governing institutions will be established immediately:
The Pipeline Higher Authority (PHA): To be headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, serving as the central regulatory and supervisory oversight body.
The AAGP Project Company: To be headquartered in Casablanca, Morocco, acting as the operational vehicle responsible for commercial operations, financing, and procurement.
Final Investment Decision (FID): With the legal, regulatory, and corporate structures locked in, project promoters are positioning the AAGP for multi-billion-dollar investor roadshows, targeting the Final Investment Decision (FID) ahead of phased commercial commissioning early in the next decade.
Beyond transporting gas, the AAGP serves as a multi-purpose development corridor that will supply feedstock for power plants, fertilizer producers, cement manufacturers, and heavy industry across 13 countries—driving industrial job creation, expanding intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, and stabilizing energy supply for over 400 million West Africans.
