Energy and Hydrocarbons Ministers from ECOWAS Member States, joined by representatives from Morocco and Mauritania, convened on 1 November 2024 at ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja. At this joint meeting, officials ratified an updated Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and Host Government Agreement (HGA) for the Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) project and adopted frameworks to enhance renewable energy across the region.
The AAGP, designed to establish a direct gas link between Nigeria and Morocco, aims to deliver natural gas across ECOWAS countries and possibly to Europe. The Ministers also agreed on a project title “African Atlantic Gas Pipeline” solidifying this effort to integrate and expand gas accessibility.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
- Renewable Energy Initiatives
- The Ministers approved the establishment of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility (EREEF), a $75 million fund dedicated to financing clean energy projects through grants, loans, and guarantees.
- They also adopted ECOWAS guidelines for promoting grid-connected solar photovoltaic projects, which include standardised contract models to advance the region’s solar capacity.
- Strategic Partnerships and Attendees
- Delegates from countries including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Morocco attended, joined by representatives from regional agencies such as the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).
- Prominent national energy firms including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Morocco’s Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), and Mauritania’s Hydrocarbons Authority participated, underscoring the pan-African focus of the project.
- Endorsements and Statements
- Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated that the agreements mark a commitment to improving hydrocarbon and energy trade within ECOWAS and expanding the region’s presence in global gas markets.
- Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, described the establishment of the EREEF as a transformative step towards regional energy sustainability.
- A Pipeline for Economic Growth
- ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitisation, Mr. Sediko Douka, highlighted that the AAGP will not only improve electricity production but also boost regional industrialisation, economic integration, and agricultural growth. He noted that the project’s reliance on natural gas as a transitional energy source aligns with global climate objectives, while addressing Africa’s energy needs.
Upcoming Milestones
The Ministers proposed to ECOWAS leadership an official signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement, which could take place during the December 2024 ECOWAS Summit or early 2025. This ceremony would mark a major milestone in formalising the multi-national commitments necessary for AAGP’s success.
About the AAGP Project
With an estimated $26 billion investment, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline spans approximately 6,800 km from Nigeria to Morocco, passing through 13 ECOWAS countries. Expected to provide gas to ECOWAS nations, Morocco, and Europe, this project supports economic integration, enhances energy security, and promises vast opportunities for economic and industrial growth across West Africa.