Nigeria

ECOWAS Approves Nigeria-Morocco $25 billion Gas Pipeline

Is this West Africa's most transformative energy project or a $25 billion pipe dream?

13 hours ago·Updated 9 hours ago

ECOWAS Backs Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Deal

Story

Above: Moroccan, Nigerian and ECOWAS officials sign an agreement on the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline in Rabat, Morocco, on Sept. 15, 2022. Image credit: Jalal Morchidi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

ECOWAS leaders didn't just endorse the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline — they signed an intergovernmental agreement making it official regional policy, with construction set for 2028 and first gas deliveries targeted for 2031. Spanning 13 countries and carrying up to 30 billion cubic meters annually, the pipeline is expected to electrify West Africa, drive industrialization and strengthen energy sovereignty. It's the region's most transformative energy infrastructure project.

Atalayar Vanguard Media The Times of Israel Moroccoworldnews

Government-critical narrative

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is a $25 billion media stunt dressed up as infrastructure — Morocco has no gas of its own and no history in hydrocarbon trade, yet somehow positioned itself as a rival to the cheaper, shorter Trans-Saharan pipeline. At roughly twice the cost and nearly 3,000 km longer, crossing unstable states prone to energy sabotage, the math simply doesn't work. A signed agreement is not a finished pipeline, and the project won't be operational before 2040.