The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (Nigeria-Morocco) strategic project is progressing «extremely well», thanks to the commitment of all the countries involved, emphasized Amina Benkhadra, Managing Director of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM). This project has a truly strategic scope. It will contribute to accelerating access to energy for countries in this African subregion, given that some countries have an electrification rate of less than 40%. Benkhadra told MAP on the sidelines of a regional workshop to review and approve the project's Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and Host Government Agreement (HGA) (August 27-30), «This flagship project, symbolizing the relevance of South-South Cooperation, will contribute to economic and social development, notably through the development of various industries, including the mining sector, given the significant mineral resources in the countries it passes through». After stating that these countries need sustainable energy for development, Benkhadra explained that implementing this project will contribute to sustained growth and job creation, acting as a stabilizing factor for young people in this subregion of the continent. For Benkhadra, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project will also contribute to greater integration in the African subregion, lamenting the fact that Africa remains the least integrated continent in the world, despite the undeniable benefits of integration for growth and development. The project is more than just an energy transport and access project, according to Benkhadra. It is a major project that will guarantee political, economic, and social stability in this part of Africa, and contribute to greater energy security not only in Africa but also between the continent and Europe. Benkhadra added that the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline will also enable gas exports to Europe, thereby helping to reduce Europe's dependence on other natural gas suppliers and diversify its sources of supply. She welcomed the holding in Abidjan of this workshop dedicated to examining and approving the IGA and HGA of the Gas Pipeline project, recalling that this working meeting is part of the progress made on the strategic Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project. «Today, experts from the thirteen countries involved in this project are meeting in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to finalize the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) or treaty to be signed by all the States, and the HGA, which is the governmental agreement between a country and the project company», she noted. «We are delighted by the presence of experts and representatives from all the countries involved, demonstrating their willingness and commitment to contribute to the execution and completion of such a strategic and structuring project as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (Nigeria-Morocco)», she said. After pointing out that the IGA is a fundamental element in the development of this type of major cross-border project, Benkhadra recalled that this intergovernmental agreement has been in preparation for over a year between ONHYM and NNPC and has been the subject of several workshops in Rabat and Marrakech throughout 2023 and 2024. She concluded that, thanks to the full involvement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in this project, «we are practically in the final stages of discussions with all the countries involved, represented by their experts, representatives of their energy ministries, and national companies».
