This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress
The Director General of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (Onhym), Amina Benkhadra, presented the major advances in the Atlantic Africa Gassuc (GAA) to Washington, during an event organized by the American Think Tank on Wednesday atlantic Council.
This major project emanating from the vision of King Mohammed VI and the President of Nigeria, is in a decisive investment phase, said Benkhadra during this strategic briefing, held on the sidelines of her participation in “Powering Africa Summit”, a major event on the energy partnership between the United States and Africa which is held on March 6 and 7 in the American capital.
Faced with an audience of diplomats, experts in the energy field, representatives of the private sector and donors, the CEO of Onhym highlighted the fundamental importance of this infrastructure for the energy security of West Africa, Europe and, more broadly, of the Atlantic space.
Inscribed in a dynamic of regional cooperation and sustainable development, this initiative aims to respond to the energy challenges of the continent while strengthening economic ties between the states crossed, she said.
Recalling that the project has reached important steps, Ms. Benkhadra said that the final investment decision is progressing with a gradual commissioning planned for the first sections from 2029.
In this perspective, she insisted on the importance of strategic partnerships, evoking the advanced discussions in progress with large international operators, including American and financial institutions in order to guarantee the economic and technical viability of the project.
In addition to its energy issue, the GAA is distinguished, according to the CEO of Onhym, by its majority and its major socio-economic impact.
With a length of more than 6000 kilometers, the future gas pipeline aims to serve nearly 400 million people, thus contributing to the electrification of the continent in a context where access to energy remains limited to 40% for certain countries.
Beyond the supply of energy, this infrastructure represents an industrial development lever, facilitating the emergence of new production centers and stimulating local economies.
Ms. Benkhadra has highlighted in particular the synergies between GAA and the critical mineral sector, a key area which will directly benefit from better access to energy, thus promoting the exploitation and transformation of natural resources.
Morocco’s ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, opened the discussion by situating the gas pipeline in its broader geopolitical context, at a time in particular, he noted, where the energy issues occupy a central place in the American agenda.
He stressed that this megaprojet is fully part of the strategic vision carried by King Mohammed VI and represents a fundamental pillar of the Royal Atlantic Initiative.
This visionary approach aims, he said, to strengthen the economic integration of the African continent and to improve its energy connectivity with the rest of the world, thus creating inclusive growth and sustainable development corridors.
Stressing the imperative to accelerate international collaborations, the ambassador insisted on the need to mobilize funding and support the next stages of the project, by capitalizing on the growing interest expressed by international partners.
This strategic briefing initiated by the prestigious American research center has aroused a strong enthusiasm among the participants, illustrating the central place of the Atlantic Africa Gassuc in the continent’s energy and its structuring role in global energy cooperation.
Through this project, Morocco reaffirms its commitment to a more connected Africa, more integrated and more sovereign on the energy level, noted Mr. Amrani.
