In Freetown, Sierra Leone, the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ratified the intergovernmental agreement for the Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic African Gas Pipeline project on 19 July 2026. Valued at $25 billion, the project aims to transport 30 billion cubic metres of gas per year, 15 million of which will be transported between Morocco and Europe.
On July 19 2026 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) signed the intergovernmental agreement for the Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic African Gas Pipeline project on the sidelines of the 69th ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government. The milestone formally launches the implementation of this major infrastructure project.
« This project was initiated by His Majesty the King, thanks to his far-sighted vision of a connected and united Africa, together with the late President Buhari, and today it enjoys the strong support of His Excellency President Tinubu. It is a project for energy integration, but also for economic and social integration. The signing of this agreement establishes a legal and governance framework to which all the participating States adhere, and which will facilitate the next stages of the project. »
AMINA BENKHADRA, Director General, National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines – Morocco
The Atlantic African Gas Pipeline aims to connect West Africa’s gas resources to the region’s main consumption centres, with a transport capacity of 30 billion cubic metres per year, including 15 billion cubic metres destined for Morocco and Europe.
« The Atlantic African Gas Pipeline is one of the most significant diplomatic initiatives ever undertaken in our region. By connecting several coastal States in West Africa through a major energy corridor, it will strengthen energy security, promote industrialisation, create jobs and reinforce regional interdependence, just as the Abidjan–Lagos motorway project continues to advance. »
OMAR ALIEU TOURAY, Outgoing President of the ECOWAS Commission – Gambia
“Ghana is excited to be part of this agreement and this is really going to favour african integration and we need to really invest in infrastructure in Africa and that is the only way we can increase intra-african trade which is currently below 20 percent.”
Samuel ABLAKWA, Minister for Foreign Affairs – Ghana
“Energy has been something which is very important to our development and in our agenda, and we want to congratulate his majesty the King and also congratulate the government and the people of the kingdom of Morocco for this laudable initiative.”
Sering Modou Njie, Minister for Foreign Affairs – Gambia
It should be noted that the final stage of the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline project will be marked by a dedicated ceremony in Morocco, during which the Kingdom will jointly sign the agreement in the presence of the President of Nigeria. These signatures mark the culmination of a process launched by ECOWAS, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Morocco and Nigeria on 15 September 2022.
