As global demand for natural gas skyrockets, Morocco is steadily carving out a prominent role in the international energy market. The country expects its annual gas consumption, already exceeding one billion cubic meters, to triple in the coming years. To meet this surge, Morocco is rolling out a bold strategy that blends domestic exploration with the development of large-scale infrastructure.
New gas field discoveries are already energizing the local sector. Morocco is betting heavily on the synergy between fossil and renewable resources and is pushing forward with the ambitious Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project. Dubbed the “Atlantic Pipeline” by its African partners, this monumental project aims to link West Africa with Europe via Morocco by 2030, potentially transforming the country into a key energy gateway between continents.
The United States recently signaled strong interest in the project at high-level meetings in Washington, held alongside the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group sessions. Nigerian Finance Minister Wale Edun confirmed discussions with American investors seeking to leverage Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to support the pipeline. While the specifics of U.S. involvement remain unclear, the eagerness to participate underscores the pipeline’s global strategic weight.
Meanwhile, Morocco is rapidly advancing its domestic plans. The government has launched a call for proposals to build a liquefied natural gas terminal at Nador West Med. This facility will feature a floating storage and regasification unit connected to a pipeline network aimed at supplying key industrial zones, including Kénitra and Mohammedia. The terminal is expected to be operational between 2026 and 2027. Additionally, a second entry point is planned along the Atlantic coast, with an extension toward Dakhla, a region pivotal to Morocco’s emerging industries.
These moves reflect Morocco’s long-term vision for energy sovereignty, shaped over years of strategic planning. Global events such as the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and the fierce competition among major powers have only reinforced the country’s drive to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on any single supplier.
Energy diversification, regulatory stability, and openness to global partnerships form the three pillars of Morocco’s energy security strategy. The nation has already secured access to international LNG markets by reversing pipeline flows with Spain, a move initiated well before 2021 and operational by 2022. Morocco’s momentum has continued with the confirmation of promising domestic reserves.
Key developments have focused on the Tendrara and Gharb basins, where British company SDX Energy has been particularly active. Boasting a drilling success rate of over 80 percent, especially in the Gharb concessions, SDX Energy contributes more than seven million cubic feet per day to local production. Since 2017, the Sebou concession has operated under an eight-year exploration license.
Morocco is undergoing a profound energy transformation, aiming to make natural gas a cornerstone of its energy mix. By 2030, natural gas is set to account for 30 percent of the national energy portfolio, complementing a strong push into renewables. The anticipated tripling of domestic gas consumption over the next two decades will be driven by electricity production, desalination plants, phosphate processing, and increased demand for air conditioning.
At the energy summit held in Ouarzazate in April 2025, Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali reaffirmed Morocco’s dual commitment to sustainability and security. The strategy is clear: invest heavily in renewable energy while relying on gas for its flexibility. Morocco has no intention of sacrificing energy sovereignty for environmental goals, choosing instead to balance both priorities.
Further infrastructure developments include additional gas terminals at Mohammedia and Jorf Lasfar, along with plans for Dakhla. Four new pipelines are on the drawing board: two to connect the Tendrara and Anchois fields, one to integrate with the Maghreb-Europe pipeline, and another to link Atlantic coast industrial areas with Dakhla.
To ensure the success of this complex undertaking, Morocco has put in place a coordinated governance framework. A strategic agreement signed in March 2024 brought together various stakeholders, including government ministries, the national electricity and water utilities, port authorities, the Nador West Med development agency, and Morocco’s highway authority.
Nevertheless, the challenges are immense. As of 2024, nearly 70 percent of Morocco’s electricity still came from coal, primarily at the Jorf Lasfar and Safi power plants, which are under long-term contracts extending beyond 2040. Even with emerging carbon capture technologies, the need to transition is urgent.
For Morocco, natural gas represents the most viable bridge fuel to cut carbon emissions while awaiting the technological and economic maturation of green hydrogen solutions. The country is proceeding with caution and determination, aware of the financial and technical hurdles ahead. Its strategic location, political stability, and long-term planning are steadily positioning it as Africa’s emerging gas hub.
