Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline: A decisive step forward with the crossing of the Niger River
The ambitious Nigeria–Morocco gas pipeline project has reached a major milestone with the successful crossing of the Niger River, marking progress toward northern Nigeria.
This advancement was announced on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, by the President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, during a meeting in Abuja with Morocco’s ambassador, Moha Ouali Tagma, and his deputy, Marouan Abousif.
Akpabio described the milestone as “decisive”, emphasizing that it demonstrates the technical feasibility of the project and the strength of bilateral cooperation. Stretching over 7,000 kilometers, the pipeline aims to connect Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to North Africa and then Europe, running along the West African coastline. Crossing the Niger River was considered one of the project’s major technical challenges.
“The initial difficulties have now been overcome, and work is advancing northward”, stated the Senate President, praising the project as a symbol of energy stability and regional economic integration. He also called for deeper cooperation between the two countries and announced an upcoming visit to Abuja by a delegation of Moroccan business leaders. Akpabio applauded Morocco’s growing investments in Nigeria, particularly in the fertilizer sector, with over $1.5 billion invested in his home state. According to him, Morocco has become a strategic partner for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
For his part, the Moroccan ambassador emphasized the economic complementarity between the two nations and the need to establish a structured parliamentary dialogue. He also extended an official invitation for a Nigerian delegation to visit Rabat, aimed at strengthening institutional ties. The meeting ended on an optimistic note, with both parties affirming that the Morocco–Nigeria relationship is now driven by concrete projects and strong political will.
