Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has welcomed the unanimous endorsement of the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project by member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), describing the decision as a major milestone for regional energy security, economic integration and sustainable development.
Ekpo made the remarks on Sunday in Lungi, Sierra Leone, following the signing of the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the project by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The minister was part of Nigeria’s delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the summit.
Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Moves into Implementation Phase
Ekpo said the signing of the agreement marks a decisive transition from planning to implementation for the project, also known as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, one of Africa’s most ambitious cross-border energy infrastructure initiatives.
According to him, the project demonstrates the collective commitment of West African leaders to strengthening regional cooperation while expanding access to reliable energy supplies.
“The agreement gives renewed momentum to a project that will unlock Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources, reinforce regional energy security, expand export opportunities and accelerate industrial development across West Africa,” he said.
Nigeria Eyes Greater Value from Africa’s Largest Gas Reserves
Ekpo noted that Nigeria possesses approximately 215.19 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the largest on the African continent, positioning the country to play a leading role in regional and global gas markets.
He said the pipeline aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy of transforming Nigeria from a gas-rich nation into a gas-powered economy capable of supporting industrialisation, energy transition and long-term economic growth.
“This agreement strengthens our ambition to move from being merely a gas-rich country to becoming a gas-powered economy and a dependable regional and global energy partner,” the minister said.
He added that the project would support increased domestic gas utilisation while creating new export opportunities for Nigeria’s energy sector.
Beyond improving energy supply, Ekpo said the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is expected to attract significant investment, generate employment and stimulate growth in key industries, including electricity generation, fertiliser production, petrochemicals, manufacturing and other gas-based sectors across participating countries.
He reaffirmed the commitment of President Tinubu’s administration to expanding gas production, developing critical energy infrastructure and maximising the economic value of Nigeria’s natural gas resources through both domestic consumption and strategic exports.
The minister also commended ECOWAS member states for unanimously backing the project, describing the decision as a strong demonstration of regional solidarity and a shared commitment to advancing Africa’s energy future.
The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, widely known as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, is a proposed 6,900-kilometre offshore and onshore natural gas pipeline that will transport up to 30 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas annually from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco, where it is expected to connect with European gas markets.
The multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project is designed to improve energy access, enhance regional energy security, support industrialisation, expand intra-African energy trade and stimulate economic growth across West Africa while strengthening the region’s integration into global energy markets