Physical Address
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The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline at the heart of the partnership between Algiers and Abuja
Algerian-Nigerian energy cooperation
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed, the day before yesterday Monday in Algiers, the “feasible” nature of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project linking his country to Algeria via the Niger, underlining its strategic importance for the African continent and for international energy markets. Received by the Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, at headquarters of the ministry, Mr. Abbas was accompanied by a Nigerian parliamentary delegation, the Nigerian ambassador to Algeria and the vice-president of the National People’s Assembly (APN), Ibrahim Fakhour.
The Secretary of State for Mines, Karima Bakir Tafer, as well as ministry officials, also took part in this meeting.
During the discussions, the Nigerian official welcomed “Algeria’s constant efforts in favor of African cooperation”, in particular through the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (Tsgp) project, which he described as a “concrete and promising project”. He insisted that this megaproject, connecting only three countries – Nigeria, Niger and Algeria – constitutes a major asset for its feasibility and impact. Mr. Abbas also expressed “Nigeria’s pride in the solidity of the historic relations that unite it with Algeria” and reiterated his country’s desire to “strengthen coordination and joint action” to realize strategic projects in vital sectors, notably energy and mines. This meeting made it possible to deepen consultations on the prospects for bilateral cooperation, particularly in hydrocarbons and mining resources.
The two parties reviewed the progress of the technical and economic feasibility study of the Gas Pipeline project, work on which was launched last March.
The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline is considered one of the most important regional energy projects. It aims to connect Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to the Algerian gas transport network, in order to supply neighboring African and European markets, in a global context marked by a growing demand for clean and secure energy.
The discussions also focused on expanding cooperation to other priority areas, such as the regulation of the energy sector, training, the exchange of expertise, as well as the carrying out of joint strategic studies.
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination in regional and international forums, notably within the African Petroleum Producers Organization (Appo), the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (Gecf) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
In the same spirit, MM. Arkab and Abbas highlighted the quality of relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their common desire to raise them to a higher level, through concrete projects promoting African economic integration.
The Algerian minister, for his part, welcomed “the new dynamic which marks Algeria’s relations with brotherly African countries”, recalling that the national energy policy is based on “the strengthening of South-South partnerships” and on “the expansion of the presence of the Sonatrach group on the continental scene”.
Djamila Sai