Nigeria and Morocco aim to sign a definitive agreement on the long-delayed African Atlantic Gas Pipeline before the end of 2026, officials said, a move that could advance one of the continent's most ambitious energy infrastructure projects.

The proposed 5,600-kilometer (3,480-mile) pipeline, formerly known as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, carries an estimated $25 billion price tag.

Designed to transport Nigerian natural gas along the West African coast to Morocco, the project would eventually connect directly into European energy grids.

Supporters promote the multi-country conduit as a transformative initiative capable of expanding electricity access, stimulating industrial growth and reinforcing regional energy security.

For Nigeria, it offers a path to monetize its massive domestic gas reserves. For Morocco, it advances Rabat's strategy to become the primary energy gateway linking Africa to Europe.

However, the project faces steep hurdles, particularly regarding international financing and cross-border security.

Global investors have grown increasingly selective about funding massive fossil fuel projects amid a broader global transition toward renewable energy.

Analysts say securing $25 billion in capital from environmental-conscious lenders remains the project's most significant obstacle.

Furthermore, the pipeline's planned coastal route spans more than a dozen West African jurisdictions, several of which struggle with political instability, maritime piracy and localized infrastructure risks.

Energy analysts note that safeguarding a pipeline across so many borders will demand unprecedented, long-term security cooperation among the participating nations.

Despite these challenges, both governments confirmed that negotiations are progressing steadily.

Project backers argue that African natural gas remains an indispensable transition fuel required to power the continent's economic development while moving toward lower-carbon systems.

The scheduled 2026 signing will serve as a critical milestone. The formal agreement will largely determine whether the cross-continental energy pipeline can finally transition from a decade of high-level planning into physical construction.

Earlier, in April, the two countries signed an intergovernmental pact to formalize legal and regulatory framework that would allow for the implementation of the transcontinental gas pipeline, which could also provide a viable alternative to Europe’s energy diversification push.