After U.S. Interest, UAE to Help Fund Africa’s Largest Gas Pipeline

After growing interest from the U.S., the United Arab Emirates has reportedly joined efforts to co-finance the $25 billion Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project.

Morocco’s Minister of Energy, Leila Benali, recently confirmed the UAE’s involvement, adding that the ambitious project has also gained backing from major international institutions, including the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the OPEC Fund, and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Morocco’s growing status as a regional leader in renewable energy. Morocco is prioritising renewable energy development, technology localisation, and the establishment of local industrial supply chains to boost job creation.

The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, one of Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, stretches 5,660 kilometres and is designed to connect West Africa to Europe via Morocco.

First announced in December 2016 during King Mohammed VI’s visit to Nigeria, the $25 billion initiative will traverse 13 countries as it links Nigeria to Morocco.

The project, expected to enhance energy security for both coastal nations and the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA), will become the world’s longest offshore gas pipeline.

The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project has continued to attract significant international interest. Earlier this year, the initiative secured strategic backing from Jingye Group, a major Chinese steel producer.

Through its UK arm, Jingye British Steel, the company intends to supply high-grade steel products vital for the pipeline’s construction.

On a different front, Middle Eastern countries have been stepping up their investment footprint in Africa. Business Insider Africa previously reported that Gulf nations have collectively expressed interest in or finalised deals worth at least $6 billion in African energy assets in recent weeks.

This flurry of activity reflects a broader ambition by Gulf states to deepen their energy partnerships on the continent.

According to a recent African Export-Import Bank report, bilateral trade between Africa and the UAE alone surged 38% over two years, hitting $86 billion by the end of 2023.