The United States is stepping up efforts to position Morocco as a key partner in natural gas development, as the North African kingdom accelerates plans to build a major energy hub linking Africa and Europe.
A Moroccan delegation of senior energy officials visited Houston the centre of the US oil and gas industry for talks with American firms and institutions, in a mission organised by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
The visit brought together representatives from Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition, the National Office for Electricity and Water, and the national energy regulator, reflecting Rabat’s push to attract foreign investment and technical expertise into its growing gas sector.
Discussions covered the full natural gas value chain, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) import and export infrastructure, pipeline development, storage facilities and gas-to-power generation.
US officials and companies used the meetings to present technologies and services aligned with Morocco’s planned infrastructure expansion, as Washington seeks a stronger foothold in emerging energy markets.
The initiative comes as Morocco ramps up efforts to develop a national gas network, part of a broader strategy to support its transition toward cleaner energy while ensuring grid stability.
A multi-agency agreement signed in 2024 laid the groundwork for a coordinated programme to establish LNG import terminals, expand pipeline networks and develop storage capacity.
Officials say natural gas will play a critical role as a transitional fuel, helping to balance intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar while also supporting industrial growth.
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At the centre of Morocco’s ambitions is the Nador West Med, a major deep-water port on the Mediterranean coast that is emerging as a cornerstone of the country’s energy strategy.
The facility includes Morocco’s first LNG terminal, with an annual import capacity of around five billion cubic metres, alongside infrastructure for handling hydrocarbons. Authorities say the core construction phase — including breakwaters, quays and energy berths — has been completed.
With billions of dollars invested, the project is designed to position Morocco as a regional logistics and energy hub, capable of linking African gas supplies with European markets.
The strategy also aligns with Morocco’s ambitions in green energy, including the development of hydrogen and related industries, where gas infrastructure is expected to provide essential backup and integration support.
A further boost to the plan could come from the proposed Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, a major նախագ project spanning West Africa.
According to officials from ONHYM, an intergovernmental agreement on the նախագ project — estimated at $25 billion — is expected to be signed later this year.
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The pipeline, which would run approximately 6,900 kilometres, is being developed in partnership with NNPC, with a joint venture company to be established in Morocco.
Initial gas deliveries are projected to begin in 2031, connecting Moroccan infrastructure to gas fields in Mauritania and Senegal before extending further across the region.
At full capacity, the pipeline could transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually, with volumes allocated for domestic use in Morocco as well as exports to Europe.
Analysts say the project, if realised, could reshape regional energy dynamics by improving access to gas across West Africa while offering Europe alternative supply routes.
For the United States, deeper engagement with Morocco reflects both commercial interests and broader geopolitical considerations, as global competition for energy partnerships intensifies.
For Rabat, the growing international interest underscores its ambition to become a central player in the evolving global energy landscape, leveraging its geographic position and expanding infrastructure to bridge continents and markets.
