The United Arab Emirates has officially joined a major energy project aimed at transforming gas access across West Africa and strengthening links with Europe.
The African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline, set to cost around $25 billion, will stretch from Nigeria to Morocco and eventually reach European markets.
The UAE’s involvement adds financial strength to a project already supported by several international institutions, including the Islamic Development Bank, the OPEC Fund, and the European Investment Bank. Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition, Leila Benali, confirmed the UAE’s participation during a briefing with lawmakers.
Morocco has completed both the feasibility and engineering studies for the pipeline, signaling that the groundwork is done and the project is moving forward. The pipeline will pass through 15 African countries, including Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Mauritania. Experts believe the project will not only improve energy access but also promote trade and economic ties across the region.
The pipeline will be built in phases. The first connects Morocco to Senegal and Mauritania and links Ghana to Ivory Coast. The second phase will stretch from Nigeria to Ghana, and the third from Ivory Coast to Senegal. This layout is designed to deliver gas to over 400 million people, offering reliable energy to homes, industries, and power plants.
The full length of the pipeline will reach about 6,800 kilometers, with 5,100 kilometers laid offshore. This would make it the longest offshore gas pipeline in the world once it is completed. Morocco and Nigeria have already established a joint venture to manage the development and signed financing agreements to keep the project on track.
To support the construction, China’s Jingye Steel Group has been selected to supply the necessary pipes, further pushing the project toward physical development.
This project comes at a time when Morocco is also pushing to become a clean energy hub in the region. The country is investing in green hydrogen and renewable energy sources as part of its broader energy strategy.
The pipeline is seen not only as a way to export gas but also as a strategic tool for growth across West Africa. With the UAE now involved, momentum is building around a project that could reshape the energy landscape from Lagos to Tangier and beyond.