The United States has expressed interest in investing in Africa’s most ambitious gas pipeline project, which aims to connect Nigeria to Morocco.
Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Wale Edun, revealed the U.S. interest, highlighting the potential for American involvement in the project. .
According to The Cable, Minister Edun disclosed this development in a statement summarizing outcomes from the ministry’s bilateral engagements during the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C.
Minister Edun emphasized that during a high-level meeting with Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso and representatives from the U.S.
State Department, the U.S. stressed the importance of showcasing Nigeria’s economic reforms to boost investor confidence.
“Key areas of interest include U.S. investments in Nigeria’s natural gas sector, particularly the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, given the country’s vast gas reserves,” he noted.
The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, one of Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, spans 5,660 kilometers and is designed to connect West Africa to Europe through Morocco.
Launched in December 2016 during King Mohammed VI’s visit to Nigeria, the $25 billion project will link Nigeria to Morocco via 13 countries.
It is expected to enhance energy security for coastal nations and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and it will become the world’s longest offshore gas pipeline.
In 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) signed an agreement to commence construction, with additional contributions from ECOWAS, SMH of Tanzania, and Petrosen of Senegal, aimed at boosting gas supply to Europe.
The rivalry between the U.S. and China over Africa’s development is intensifying, as both nations seek greater involvement in strategic projects across the continent.
From mining to infrastructure, the two powers have expanded their influence in recent years, pursuing investments aligned with their national interests.
Earlier this year, the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project secured strategic backing from Jingye Group, a major Chinese steel producer.
Through its UK subsidiary, British Steel, Jingye plans to supply high-quality steel products crucial for the pipeline’s construction.
Meanwhile, potential U.S. involvement in the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline signals a broader strategy to counterbalance China’s growing influence in Africa, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
While the U.S. may not be directly challenging China’s presence, its participation in key infrastructure projects reflects an effort to maintain influence and support Africa’s development amid China’s expanding dominance.
