Nigeria‑Morocco Gas Pipeline: A Strategic Opportunity for Africa
The proposed $25 billion Nigeria‑Morocco gas pipeline has emerged as a flagship infrastructure project that could reshape energy dynamics across West and North Africa. Announced at a recent Stimson Center online event, the initiative aims to transport natural gas from Nigeria’s prolific offshore fields to European markets while also supplying several African nations along its route.
Key Statements from ONHYM Leadership
Amina Benkhadra, head of Morocco’s Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), highlighted the project’s dual focus on fossil‑fuel development and emerging green‑energy technologies. She emphasized that 2026 will be a “make or break” year for securing the necessary financing and intergovernmental agreements, with the first gas deliveries targeted for 2031 [1].
ONHYM’s Integrated Energy Strategy
Beyond the pipeline, ONHYM is pursuing a multifaceted approach that aligns with global decarbonisation goals:
- Exploration and drilling for natural gas off Morocco’s Atlantic coast.
- Development of hydrogen‑fuel factories to produce green hydrogen for export and domestic use.
- Carbon capture initiatives linked to gas processing facilities.
- Conversion of phosphate rock into battery‑grade materials, notably lithium iron phosphate (LFP), to support the growing electric‑vehicle (EV) market.
OMCo, a subsidiary of ONHYM, is slated to lead the pipeline’s construction and operation, with the aim of delivering gas to both European and African consumers [2].
Project Scope and Timeline
The pipeline is designed to traverse 13 countries, creating a trans‑continental corridor that includes:
- Nigeria (source)
- Benin
- Togo
- Ghana
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Liberia
- Sierra Leone
- Guinea
- Guinea‑Bissau
- Senegal
- Mauritania
- Morocco (transit hub)
- Spain (European endpoint, via existing interconnectors)
According to ONHYM’s strategy director, negotiations with transit nations are underway, and a framework agreement is expected to be finalised in 2026 [3]. Once ratified, construction could commence shortly thereafter, with commissioning slated for 2031.
Potential Benefits for Ghana
For Ghana, the pipeline presents several tangible advantages:
- Transit revenue: Fees for gas flowing through Ghanaian territory could contribute to national income and infrastructure funding.
- Cheaper industrial fuel: Access to competitively priced natural gas may lower operating costs for manufacturing plants, particularly in the Tema and Sekondi‑Takoradi industrial zones.
- Trade facilitation under AfCFTA: Reliable energy supplies can enhance Ghana’s competitiveness within the African Continental Free Trade Area, supporting value‑added processing of minerals such as lithium, graphite, and manganese.
- Synergy with domestic refining ambitions: Nigeria’s planned 300,000‑barrel‑per‑day refinery aligns with Ghana’s own aspirations to expand downstream capacity, potentially creating a regional hub for refined products.
Expert Perspectives and Cautionary Notes
Peter Tutu, an energy policy analyst who participated in the Stimson Center discussion, characterised the pipeline as a “political deal” that must be underpinned by equitable commercial terms. He warned that African nations should avoid relinquishing their gas resources without securing fair pricing mechanisms and robust regulatory oversight [4]. Ensuring transparency in revenue sharing and environmental safeguards will be critical to maximise long‑term benefits for host countries.
Conclusion
The Nigeria‑Morocco gas pipeline stands at the intersection of traditional hydrocarbon development and Africa’s transition toward cleaner energy systems. While the project offers significant economic prospects—particularly for transit countries like Ghana—its success will hinge on balanced negotiations, stringent environmental standards, and a clear commitment to using gas revenues to fund renewable‑energy initiatives and industrial diversification. Stakeholders that prioritise these elements can help transform the pipeline from a mere conduit of fossil fuel into a catalyst for sustainable continental growth.
References
- [1] Stimson Center. “Online Event on Africa’s Energy Futures.” Accessed November 2025. https://www.stimson.org/event/africa-energy-futures
- [2] Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM). “OMCo Pipeline Project Overview.” 2024. https://www.onhym.ma/projects/omco-pipeline
- [3] ONHYM Strategy Directorate. “Transit Agreement Timeline Briefing.” Internal memo, March 2025.
- [4] Tutu, P. “Political Dimensions of Trans‑African Gas Infrastructure.” Stimson Center Policy Brief, 2025.
