- Africa has 191 active oil and gas pipeline projects worth $62.1 billion as producers expand infrastructure to bring stranded resources to market.
- Natural gas accounts for 105 projects worth $47.6 billion, with major projects targeting European markets amid supply disruptions and the EU’s planned phaseout of Russian gas.
African oil and gas producers are accelerating pipeline investments as global supply disruptions and Europe’s move away from Russian gas create new opportunities for the continent’s energy exports.
Industrial Info Resources tracks 191 active oil and gas pipeline projects across Africa with a combined investment value of $62.1 billion. The projects cover crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products, with natural gas infrastructure accounting for the largest share.
Natural gas projects account for 105 developments worth $47.6 billion. Producers and infrastructure developers are targeting trunklines that can transport previously stranded gas in West and North Africa to domestic and international markets, while crude oil pipelines will connect growing production in East Africa to export terminals.
Two major gas projects could significantly expand Africa’s ability to supply Europe. The Nigeria-Morocco, also known as the Africa Atlantic Gas Pipeline, and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline could eventually transport substantial volumes of Nigerian gas toward international markets.
The Nigeria-Morocco pipeline could cost up to $25 billion and span about 6,300 kilometres across 13 West African countries through a combination of offshore and onshore routes. Morocco has completed front-end engineering design studies, although the project still faces uncertainty over agreements, financing and execution timelines.
The $13 billion Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline also remains under development. Algeria, Niger and Nigeria have signed new agreements covering an upgraded feasibility study and a compensation framework, potentially advancing the project as it competes with the Nigeria-Morocco route.
European energy demand could strengthen the commercial case for both projects. The EU began a stepwise process to end Russian gas imports in January and plans to implement a total ban from January 1, 2027. Buyers in Italy, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands have consequently increased interest in Algerian, Nigerian and emerging West African gas supplies.
The changing supply landscape has encouraged project sponsors to accelerate front-end engineering and design work while pursuing financing and intergovernmental agreements for projects that previously faced prolonged delays.
East Africa also continues to expand crude oil export infrastructure through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The nearly $3.5 billion project has reached about 90% completion and targets first oil exports in early 2027.
The 1,443-kilometre EACOP will transport crude from Uganda’s Lake Albert oil fields to the Tanga marine terminal in Tanzania. The project uses a 24-inch heated and buried pipeline and brings together TotalEnergies, Uganda National Oil Company, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and CNOOC.
Africa’s pipeline expansion reflects a broader effort by producers to develop infrastructure alongside upstream production and convert previously stranded oil and gas resources into exportable commodities.
The combination of disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and Europe’s planned withdrawal from Russian gas could further strengthen demand for African energy supplies, creating opportunities for pipeline projects connecting the continent’s producers to international markets.