Member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) signed a landmark intergovernmental agreement Sunday, formalizing regional backing for the massive Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline.

The deal, finalised during a summit in Freetown, represents a critical milestone for the estimated $25 billion project.

First proposed a decade ago by the Moroccan King and the Nigerian president, the project has now successfully moved past its feasibility study and front-end engineering design (FEED) stages.

According to a joint statement released by Morocco’s hydrocarbons and mining agency, ONHYM, and Nigeria’s state oil firm, NNPC, the infrastructure will feature a 6,900-kilometre hybrid offshore-onshore route.

Once operational, the pipeline will transport up to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, originating in Nigeria and traversing 13 West African nations before reaching Morocco.

The pipeline is designed to serve both regional and international energy needs. Of its total annual capacity, 15 billion cubic meters will be directed toward Moroccan and European markets.

This export route will utilize an existing pipeline that currently links Morocco directly to Spain.

Project officials emphasize that the pipeline’s primary objective extends beyond energy export.

In a previous brief to reporters, ONHYM stated the infrastructure is specifically engineered to spur economic integration across West Africa.

The gas supply aims to significantly expand regional electricity generation, facilitate industrial growth, and accelerate mining development.

Simultaneously, the project helps Morocco position itself as a strategic energy bridge between Africa and Europe.

Following Sunday’s multilateral accord, the project's next phase will pivot toward a bilateral agreement.

The statement confirmed that Morocco will sign a separate deal with gas-rich Mauritania at a later date, an event scheduled to take place in the presence of Nigeria's president.