Gas
IEA highlights Morocco gas import reliance
The International Energy Agency has flagged Morocco and South Africa as heavily reliant on external gas supplies amid global market volatility.
Key points
- Global liquefied natural gas supply is projected to decline by three percent in 2026.
- Morocco is advancing plans for its first liquefied natural gas terminal at Nador.
- Nigeria is actively seeking financial backing for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project.
According to reporting by Morocco World News and Middle East Online, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has placed Morocco and South Africa among the continent's most vulnerable natural gas importers in its Global Gas Security Review 2026.
The agency indicates that global liquefied natural gas shipments are heading for a record annual contraction of three percent, equivalent to nearly 20 billion cubic meters. Middle East Online reported that transit bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz severely impacted tanker flows between March and October, triggering sharp price increases on international hubs. Conversely, total African gas demand is projected to expand by five percent this year, though consumption remains heavily concentrated in Egypt, Algeria, and Nigeria.
To counter external vulnerabilities, Rabat is accelerating domestic infrastructure development. Morocco World News noted that King Mohammed VI reviewed progress at Nador West Med and Tanger Med, with official plans detailing a new import terminal designed for an annual capacity of five billion cubic meters. The nation currently obtains gas supplies through reverse-flow operations via the Maghreb-Europe pipeline.
Concurrently, efforts to connect regional markets are advancing. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is engaging potential international backers, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, for the multi-billion dollar African Atlantic Gas Pipeline. NNPC executive Bashir Bayo Ojulari stated that the initiative aims to transport upwards of 30 billion cubic meters of gas yearly across 13 coastal countries, utilizing a phased expansion approach.
Why it matters
Cross-border infrastructure projects illustrate the growing interdependence of African energy markets as nations seek to insulate themselves from global supply shocks. With Henry Hub natural gas spot prices recorded at 2.63 US dollars per MMBtu on November 3, 2026, according to US EIA figures, regional suppliers face both commercial opportunities and logistical hurdles. For investors and policymakers, mobilizing capital for multi-jurisdictional pipelines requires robust regulatory frameworks and secure off-take agreements to ensure long-term viability across the African continent.
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.
9.6% of electricity in Morocco 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.
