Janice R. Andrews
The Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is moving forward “extremely well,” according to Amina Benkhadra, who is the managing director of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM). The project is an important part of South-South Cooperation and will likely have a big effect on West Africa’s energy supply, economic growth, and regional unity.
A Planned Project to Improve Access to Energy and Grow the Economy
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is more than just a construction project. It is a long-term plan to improve energy access and boost economic growth in West Africa. From Nigeria to Morocco, the pipeline will go through 13 different countries and more than 5,600 kilometers. The goal of this huge network is to move natural gas from Nigeria to Morocco and then to Europe.
Benkhadra stressed that the project will speed up the process of getting energy to countries in the region, where rates of power are currently below 40% in some places. “This flagship project will contribute to economic and social development, notably through the development of various industries, including the mining sector, given the significant mineral resources in the countries it passes through,” she told us.
Stability in the region and economic integration
In addition to helping the economy right away, the pipeline is meant to help bring Africa together with the rest of the world. Africa is still the least connected area in the world, even though it has a lot of promise for growth and development. “The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project will contribute to greater integration in the African subregion,” Benkhadra said, pointing out that the project will help neighboring countries work together and gain from each other.
The pipeline is also expected to provide a stable energy source, which will help the economy grow and create jobs. This could help the young people in the subregion feel safe and secure. “This project will guarantee political, economic, and social stability in this part of Africa,” he said.
Making Africa and Europe more energy secure
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline could improve energy security both within Africa and between Africa and Europe. This is one of its most important features. The pipeline should make it possible to send gas to Europe, which will help Europe become less reliant on other natural gas sellers and find other sources of supply.
In order to stress how important the project is for Europe’s future, Benkhadra said that it will “reduce Europe’s dependence on other natural gas suppliers and diversify its sources of supply.” Diversification is important for both regions as they try to make sense of the complicated world energy market and make sure they have stable, reliable access to energy supplies.
Agreements between governments and host governments are almost finished
At a regional workshop in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from August 27–30, experts from the 13 countries involved in the pipeline project met to review and accept the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and the Host Government Agreement (HGA). The meeting also showed how the project was progressing. “Today, experts from the thirteen countries involved in this project are meeting in Abidjan to finalize the IGA or treaty to be signed by all the States, and the HGA, which is the governmental agreement between a country and the project company,” said Benkhadra.
The IGA and HGA are very important to the growth of this cross-border project because they set up the legal and practical frameworks that make it possible to carry out. “Thanks to the full involvement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in this project, we are practically in the final stages of discussions,” said Benkhadra.
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is going to be a huge project that changes Africa. It will improve energy access, economic growth, security, and regional unity. As the planning and agreement stages draw to a close, the resolve from all the countries and organizations involved shows that they are working together to make the future of Africa and Europe more connected and energy-secure.
