The idea was first proposed more than 40 years ago and an agreement signed between the countries in 2009, but progress stalled…reports Asian Lite News
Algeria, Niger and Nigeria have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of a gas pipeline across the Sahara Desert that will supply Europe with additional gas, said the Algerian Energy Minister.
The signing ceremony was held in Algiers, capital of Algeria, in the presence of the Energy Ministers of the three African countries, and came in the wake of a trilateral meeting on the Trans-Saharan Gas-Pipeline (TSGP) on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.
“Today’s meeting follows two previous meetings respectively in Niamey in February and in Abuja in June,” Algerian Energy and Mines Minister Mohamed Arkab told reporters.
“We have taken a number of decisions and we are making remarkable advance in the construction of this strategic project,” he said.
The TSGP, a mega gas pipeline project linking Algeria, Niger and Nigeria, is expected to span 4,000 km and could send up to 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year.
The idea was first proposed more than 40 years ago and an agreement signed between the countries in 2009, but progress stalled.
Two weeks, ago Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi arrived in Algeria for a one-day visit, and held talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune over several issues of common interest.
Reports said that Algeria would raise its gas shipments to Italy by 4 billion cubic metres per year, without providing a timeline for the increased delivery round, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Algerian energy giant Sonatrach will ensure the delivery of the additional natural gas shipment to its Italian partners, including Eni, APS news agency reported on Friday.
Algeria has already delivered 13.9 billion cubic metres of gas to Italy so far in 2022. In 2021, the North African country exported 21.2 billion cubic metres of natural gas to Italy.