West African States Approve $25 Billion Gas Pipeline Project Running Through 14 Countries

Fourteen West African countries have formally endorsed a $25 billion gas pipeline initiative, a substantial infrastructure undertaking designed to traverse 6,000 kilometres along the Atlantic coastline. The project’s primary objective is to facilitate the transport of natural gas from Nigeria, extending through West Africa to Morocco, with potential onward connections to Europe.

Construction is projected to commence in 2028, with developers anticipating a two to three-year build period. This venture is poised to strengthen energy ties across the region and bolster energy supply options for Europe, an outcome that aligns with the continent's strategic shift away from Russian gas sources.

The pipeline's development underscores the continuing Western imperative to secure diverse energy supplies, leveraging the resource wealth of African nations. While framed by proponents as a boon for regional development, such large-scale energy projects frequently serve to entrench existing economic relationships that prioritise external energy demands over localized development. The pipeline's trajectory through multiple nations also raises questions regarding benefit distribution, environmental impact, and the long-term geopolitical implications for a region often characterised by complex resource politics.