The Nigeria-Europe Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project is moving forward. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Europe has found itself faced with the need to diversify its gas supply to free itself from its dependence on Russia. Algeria and Nigeria represent an alternative to Russia for the Old Continent. There is talk of building a trans-Saharan gas pipeline to transport this gas from Nigeria to connect the African country to Europe.
This major project, which is of great economic and geopolitical interest, is at the center of a battle between Algeria and Morocco. The two countries are jostling for position to pass through their territory. However, Algeria continues to win battle after battle in this duel.
Indeed, the route through Algeria is more economical and saves significant time. The country has also invested significant resources and demonstrated a predisposition to invest in this project. According to analysts, Algeria has thus taken a lead over its Moroccan rival in this battle, since it is its “project” that is the most viable in the short term.
The progress of this project is illustrated by the completion of a good part of the Algerian side. 2,200 km out of 4,000 km is already a reality, announced the Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines. ” It is that our infrastructures are ready, and it is a question of completing that of the two neighboring countries (Niger and Nigeria). Once done, bringing the gas to the end customer in Madrid would be a matter of hours. As easy as turning on the tap,” stressed Mohamed Arkab.
In addition to this progress on the Algerian side, another announcement confirms that Algeria is in the process of beating Morocco. The CEO of the Nigerian oil company, Mele Kyar, announced on June 21 that the reception of the largest Nigerian part of this project is set for the first quarter of 2025 at the latest.
More than half of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline route through Algeria has already been completed
This is the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano section with a length of 614 km. Thus, the arrival of this gas pipeline in Kano is synonymous with the completion of the Nigerian part of this project. Indeed, this city is on the borders of Niger. ” We are seeing considerable progress in the Algerian and Nigerian parts. It should be noted that Kano is very close to the border with Niger,” the Nigerian Minister of Energy, Yusuf Maitama, had already said.
It should be noted that from the city of Kano, a line would exist to extend further north towards Niger and Algeria. The completion of the AKK section is therefore a major step forward. This section is considered by the CEO of NNPC as ” one of the major gas projects underway in Nigeria “. It also aims to ” connect all the industrial states in the north of the country to gas supplies from the southeast “. Thus, Nigeria is achieving a dual objective, namely supplying the north of the country and shipping gas to Europe. It must be said that this route passing through Algeria is 4,128 km long. More than half of the route has already been completed while waiting for the remaining 1,800 km, including 100 km in Nigeria, 1,000 km in Niger and 700 km in Algeria.
