Morocco has applied for US financing for a mega pipeline project that will bring natural gas resources from West Africa to Europe. The Africa-Atlantic gas pipeline, estimated to cost around $26 billion, is drawing European interest following fluctuations in global energy markets.
According to Bloomberg, Morocco's Ambassador to Washington, Youssef El Amrani, announced that his country is in contact with the US Export-Import Bank and the World Bank to secure support for the project. El Amrani said applications have been submitted but did not disclose details of the financing talks.
US and Israeli operations against Iran boost project's prominence
Ambassador El Amrani noted that disruptions to energy flows from the Middle East caused by US and Israeli military operations against Iran have increased the project's strategic importance. The pipeline, which will deliver African gas to European markets via an alternative route, aligns with efforts to reduce the continent's dependence on traditional supply sources.
A spokesperson for the US Export-Import Bank confirmed that preliminary talks on the project have been held, while the World Bank declined to comment.
A 6,800-kilometer energy corridor
Planned to be 6,800 kilometers in length, the pipeline will connect natural gas fields in Nigeria, Senegal, and Mauritania to Europe via Morocco. The system, which will be integrated into the existing Morocco-Europe pipeline, will carry gas all the way to Spain.
According to data from Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, the pipeline's annual transport capacity is planned at 30 billion cubic meters. Half of this capacity will be allocated to Morocco's domestic market, while the other half will be directed to Europe.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also formalized its support for the project. The community approved the pipeline's implementation with an intergovernmental agreement signed on July 19.
Implementation challenges and timeline
Despite political support, however, significant obstacles remain. Anne-Sophie Corbeau, a researcher at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, noted that the involvement of multiple countries could complicate implementation. Corbeau cited operational problems previously experienced with the West African Gas Pipeline.
The expert also noted that Europe's goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels raises questions about the feasibility of expanding the project to the European market in the long term.
According to plans, construction of the pipeline is expected to start in 2028, with the first gas delivery slated for 2031. Completing the necessary financing arrangements is critical to meeting this timeline.
