The United Arab Emirates has agreed to contribute to a huge gas pipeline project that will connect Nigeria to Morocco and eventually reach Europe.
Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, told lawmakers on Tuesday that the UAE is now one of the supporters of the project, which is estimated to cost $25 billion.
“As for finance. The project has won the support of IDB, OPEC Fund, EIB and the UAE,” she said.
Benali also said that Morocco has finished all feasibility and engineering studies needed for the pipeline.
According to Moroccan industry experts, the project has already passed the feasibility study and Front End Engineering Design stages.
The gas pipeline, now called the “African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline”, will connect Nigeria’s gas network with Morocco’s southern city of Dakhla and then go northward toward Europe.
The line will pass through 15 African countries, boosting trade, development, and access to electricity in the region.
In Phase One, it will link Morocco to gas fields near Senegal and Mauritania, and connect Ghana to the Ivory Coast.
Phase Two will link Nigeria to Ghana, while Phase Three will connect the Ivory Coast to Senegal.
Experts said this pipeline will help bring more power to African homes and businesses while encouraging economic partnerships across the region.
With more than 400 million people living along its route, the pipeline is seen as a key driver of regional integration, industrial growth, and improved infrastructure.
Morocco and Nigeria have set up a joint venture to manage the project.
They signed a financing agreement earlier to help move it forward.
China’s Jingye Steel Group has been awarded the contract to supply pipes for the construction.
At 6,800 km long, including 5,100 km offshore, the pipeline will become the longest offshore gas pipeline in the world once completed.
Benali added that Morocco also aims to become a regional leader in clean energy, with high potential to produce green hydrogen and other renewable resources.
SOURCE: PUNCH NEWSPAPER
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