Gas
Group welcomes progress on Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline
The Energy Reforms Monitoring Initiative Africa has praised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for reaching 95 per cent completion on the AKK pipeline.
Key points
- The 614-kilometre AKK pipeline has reached 95 per cent completion according to monitoring reports.
- Gas supply to Abuja is expected before the end of 2026, with Kaduna and Kano following in 2027.
- The project has secured 1.5 billion US dollars in financing based on projected throughput.
What happened
The Energy Reforms Monitoring Initiative Africa has expressed optimism regarding the ongoing development of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano natural gas pipeline. Nigerian Tribune reported that the 614-kilometre transmission infrastructure has attained 95 per cent completion. Dr Patrick Kwame, executive director of the advocacy group, acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and its leadership in advancing the infrastructure project.
The initiative noted that gas deliveries to Abuja are anticipated before the conclusion of 2026. Subsequent connections to Kaduna and Kano are scheduled for 2027. The project relies on a financing arrangement valued at 1.5 billion US dollars, which was secured through projected pipeline throughput and commercial viability assessments.
What comes next
While the main transmission line nears completion, industry observers emphasize that supplementary distribution networks remain essential. Connecting industrial clusters, power generation plants and urban commercial centres will require rapid deployment of secondary infrastructure. Stakeholders have urged the national oil company to maintain operational transparency and ensure that physical completion translates rapidly into reliable fuel supplies for end-users across Northern Nigeria.
Why it matters
Infrastructure development remains a critical bottleneck for domestic energy utilization in Nigeria. According to World Bank figures from 2024, electricity use per person in Nigeria stands at 140.6 kilowatt-hours, significantly below the global average of 3,708.5 kilowatt-hours. Furthermore, access to electricity stands at 62.5 per cent of the population, while access to clean cooking fuels remains restricted to 28 per cent, compared to global figures of 91.9 per cent and 75.4 per cent respectively. Fuel exports accounted for 85.9 per cent of merchandise exports in 2025 according to World Bank figures, highlighting an economic dependence on external commodity sales rather than domestic value addition.
The AKK pipeline represents a strategic effort to redirect domestic gas resources towards regional industrialization, power generation and compressed natural gas transport alternatives. By reducing reliance on long-distance transmission from southern fields, the pipeline could lower operational overheads for northern manufacturers and improve regional energy security. However, investors and policymakers must ensure that downstream distribution matches upstream progress to achieve tangible economic benefits.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
72.9% of electricity in Nigeria came from gas in 2024Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
