Abuja: A high-level delegation from Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) took part in the strategic conferences and workshops held in Abuja from July 5 to 9 as part of the NOG Energy Week and Conference.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the event was organized by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and featured the participation of leading regional and international stakeholders from the oil and gas industry. During a strategic panel on July 7, titled “Maximising Gas Export Potential – Regional Integration for Meeting Global Demand,” ONHYM Director General Amina Benkhadra highlighted the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) as a strategic infrastructure project. This initiative aims to monetize Africa’s vast gas resources while advancing the continent’s energy security and economic development.

The panel discussion underscored the importance of regional integration and connectivity across Africa to ensure gas supply, which supports industrialization and electrification ambitions across the continent.

A high-level roundtable was also organized on July 8 by NNPCL in partnership with ONHYM, under the theme “Practical and Effective Solutions for Unlocking Funding for Gas Projects in Africa: AAGP in Focus.” This session explored financing prospects for gas projects in Africa, using the AAGP as a case study. The roundtable included Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Phd, who described the AAGP as Africa’s most strategically significant gas infrastructure project, aligning with the growing gas demand outlined in NNPCL’s Gas Master Plan by 2030.

On this occasion, Amina Benkhadra emphasized the shared vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which laid the foundations for the project and the strategic partnership between the two countries. She also mentioned the strong commitment of the host countries, which will be reflected in the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) by their Heads of State in the upcoming months. This agreement will establish the institutional and governance framework for the project, paving the way toward the final investment decision.

The conference provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange views on strengthening regional cooperation and mobilizing investment to advance Africa’s gas sector and strategic infrastructure projects.