KEY POINTS
- Algeria advances the $13 billion Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline, connecting Nigeria to Europe via Niger.
- Pipeline expected to transport 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, enhancing African energy integration and providing Europe with an alternative to Russian supply.
- Project faces historical challenges including financing, security, and cross-border regulation but shows renewed momentum with technical coordination underway.
Algeria, the world’s third-largest oil producer, is making significant progress on the long-stalled $13 billion Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline, a 4,100-kilometre initiative aimed at transporting natural gas from West Africa to Europe.
The project, first proposed in the 1970s, will connect Nigeria’s gas fields in Warri to Algeria’s Hassi R’Mel, linking into existing pipelines that feed European markets.
State-owned Sonatrach has dispatched a delegation to Niger to advance technical and operational discussions ahead of the pipeline’s expected operational launch immediately after Ramadan. The visit underscores renewed momentum for the decades-old project, reflecting collaboration between Nigeria, Niger, and Algeria to deliver a West-to-North Africa gas corridor.
Once completed, the pipeline is expected to transport up to 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, providing Europe with an alternative to Russian energy supplies. Algeria, which exported 54 billion cubic meters of gas in 2021 primarily to Italy and Spain, could significantly expand its exports through this corridor. For Nigeria and Niger, the project represents a strategic opportunity to integrate regional energy infrastructure and generate revenue from gas exports.
Challenges remain despite feasibility
Despite confirmed technical and economic feasibility, the Trans-Sahara pipeline has faced decades of delays due to financing difficulties, security risks in transit areas, and complex cross-border regulations. Analysts note that overcoming these hurdles will be crucial for timely implementation.
The project is expected to enhance energy security, strengthen economic ties between West and North Africa, and open new markets for African gas. By diversifying Europe’s supply sources and bolstering African energy integration, the pipeline positions Algeria as a critical supplier in the European market.
Project facts at a glance
Type: Transnational natural gas pipeline
Estimated value: $13 billion
Length: 4,100 km
Capacity: ~30 billion cubic meters/year
Lead Developer: Sonatrach
Participating Countries: Nigeria, Niger, Algeria
Origin: Warri, Nigeria
Transit: Niger
Terminus: Hassi R’Mel, Algeria
Purpose: Deliver African gas to European markets
