Moroccan King Mohammed VI has extended a gracious invitation to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an official visit to Morocco. This invitation transpired during a recent phone call between the two leaders, as reported by Morocco World News and monitored by LEADERSHIP.
A statement from the royal palace highlighted that the phone conversation delved into the advancement of bilateral relations between Morocco and Nigeria in recent years. A central point of discussion was the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline Nigeria-Morocco project, a significant initiative envisaged as a strategic catalyst for regional integration and the overall economic and social development of West African nations.
Originating from an idea initiated by King Mohammed VI and former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, the gas pipeline seeks to bolster regional integration and enhance Africa’s energy security. Morocco is slated to host more than 1,600 kilometers of the 5,600-kilometer-long project, underscoring the kingdom’s unwavering commitment to the collaboration with Nigeria.
In November 2023, King Mohammed VI underscored the potential advantages of the pipeline, emphasizing its positive impact not only on Africa but also on Europe. During a speech commemorating the anniversary of the Green March, the monarch expressed that the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project aligns with the broader objective of fostering regional integration and stimulating joint economic growth.
The pipeline is designed to connect over 11 countries in the region to tap into Nigerian gas sources, garnering support from various nations, including Senegal. In December, Senegal’s Minister of Petroleum, Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome, reaffirmed his country’s backing for the “ambitious” gas pipeline during a meeting with Morocco’s Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines Director General, Amina Benkhadra, in Dakar.
The Senegalese official highlighted the potential benefits of the project for the entire region, emphasizing the joint efforts of Morocco and Senegal through a specific program aimed at advancing the pipeline and fostering South-South cooperation among regional countries.
