Page 25 - Nigeriaone mag 2 edition en

Key figures A multifaceted project
In 2009, the estimated cost of the project was $10 The relaunch and the concretization of the Trans-
billion. Currently, it is not excluded that this cost is Saharan Gas-Pipline (TSGP) comes in a context
revised upwards. Experts estimate that it will take where the cost of gas and fossil energy is rising.
three years to build the trans-Saharan pipeline. 20 This is a perfect time to take the African energy
to 30 billion cubic meters of gas could be market to the next level. Moreover, the project will
transported from the Niger Delta to Nigeria. have a positive economic and financial impact on
The infrastructure will be owned 90% by Sonatrach several countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the
of Algeria and NNPC of Nigeria. The remaining Sahel.
10% will be owned by the National Oil Company of The other important benefit of the project is
Niger. strategic. Indeed, in the words of the Algerian
minister, the completion of this giant
infrastructure will provide many markets and
ensure a better place for the three countries in the
field of sustainable development and energy
transition.
The security in this rather sensitive area of Africa
remains a major risk for the realization of this
project. In addition, there is competition from a
similar project that will link Nigeria and Morocco.
Although its main purpose is to supply gas to
several West African countries, it is entirely
possible to use the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline to
supply gas to Europe.

An opportunity to supply Europe
Due to the Russian offensive in Ukraine, the gas
reserves of Africa have really started to interest
Europe, which is highly dependent on Russian gas.
Indeed, Africa supplies the states of the European
Union up to 40%. Tensions with the West along
with financial and economic sanctions are now
jeopardizing the supply of this raw material. From
April to June 2022, some countries of the European
Union have seen, partially or totally, their gas
supply cut by the Russian company Gazprom.
Under these circumstances, European countries
are trying to free themselves from Russian gas by
diversifying their supplies. The Trans-Saharan Gas-
Pipeline represents a unique opportunity to exploit
Africa's gas resources and to position itself as a
major player in the global energy sector.

Route of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline © CC BY-SA 4.0 Tilghemt power plant, Hassi R'mel, Algeria © CC BY-SA 4.0

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