The trans-Saharan gas pipeline project must reach a new milestone. The Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, announced Sunday an upcoming meeting with his counterparts from Niger and Nigeria to take stock of the progress and plan for the rest of the work.
Mohamed Arkab, the Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines, announced on Sunday September 29 an upcoming tripartite meeting with his counterparts from Niger and Nigeria to take stock of the trans-Saharan gas pipeline project. “The three countries must move forward to make the trans-Saharan gas pipeline a reality,” Mr. Arkab said.
The trans-Saharan gas pipeline will require an investment of nearly $13 billion
Initiated in 2020, the Trans-Saharan Gas-Pipeline (TSGP) will ultimately transport Nigerian gas to Europe via Niger and Algeria. It is in full development phase, with 2,300 kilometers already built out of the 4,128 planned for this infrastructure which will require an investment of nearly 13 billion dollars.
The ministerial meeting will be held as soon as possible to take stock at the midpoint and strengthen coordination between the different parties, in order to accelerate the development of the gas pipeline. The Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines did not give the date or place of this meeting. This will be done in parallel with the meetings of the joint ministerial committee and the technical committee.
Technical studies on viability carried out
As a reminder, experts from the three countries have launched technical studies on the viability of the project. The analyzes concern in particular the routes, costs and operating methods. They are supervised by the technical committee, made up of experts from the three States. This technical committee in turn reports to the ministerial committee. The latter meets regularly to monitor progress and adjust strategies if necessary. It does this by following a common roadmap adopted in February 2022.
Mr. Arkab visited Niamey last August
Last August, the Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines went to Niamey to talk about the project with his counterpart Sani Issoufou Mahamadou. The two officials underlined the strategic importance of the trans-Saharan gas pipeline for their respective countries, both economically and geopolitically. Mr. Arkab also assured that Algeria was committed to sharing its know-how with Niger, and to supporting the country in the development of its oil industry.
The trans-Saharan gas pipeline project supported by the AfDB and the African Union
The trans-Saharan gas pipeline should promote the economic development of Nigeria, Niger and Algeria. But it will generally benefit all of Africa, by improving the living conditions of local populations thanks to better energy infrastructure. For Europe, the TSGP will diversify gas supplies as it seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian gas since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Brussels must therefore support this project, which has the financial support of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union.
