ECOWAS Atlantic Gas Pipeline Approval Boosts Energy Security, Growth—Ekpo

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has lauded the unanimous endorsement by Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project, describing it as a landmark step towards strengthening regional energy security, deepening economic integration and advancing sustainable development across West Africa.

Ekpo spoke on Sunday in Lungi, Sierra Leone, after ECOWAS Heads of State and Government signed the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the project during the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

He was part of Nigeria’s delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event.

Describing the agreement as a defining milestone, Ekpo said the project, also known as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, has now moved decisively from vision to implementation, reflecting the shared resolve of West African leaders to deliver one of the continent’s most strategic energy infrastructure projects.

According to him, the pipeline will unlock Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources, strengthen regional energy security, expand export opportunities and accelerate industrial growth across the sub-region.

“For Nigeria, this is particularly important because we hold approximately 215.19 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the largest in Africa, and we see gas as a central pillar of our economic transformation, industrialisation and energy security strategy.

“This agreement gives further momentum to 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 according to a statement by his spokesman, Louis Ibah.

Ekpo said the pipeline would also catalyse investment, create jobs and support power generation, fertiliser production, petrochemicals, manufacturing and other gas-based industries across participating countries.

He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to expanding gas production, developing critical infrastructure and maximising the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through increased domestic utilisation and strategic exports.

The minister also thanked ECOWAS Member States for their unanimous support, describing it as a strong demonstration of regional solidarity and collective commitment to Africa’s energy future.

The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline is a proposed 6,900-kilometre offshore and onshore pipeline designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco, with onward connection to Europe.

The project is expected to improve energy access, boost industrialisation and stimulate economic growth along the corridor.