Algeria builds key section of Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria to Europe

Algeria has started construction of a new section of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline to transport natural gas from Nigeria to Europe through Niger and Algeria. The project, spanning over 4,300 kilometres in total, is expected to move more than 20 billion cubic metres of gas annually once completed. Officials say it will boost regional energy cooperation and economic development, with Niger set to begin its section in 2027.

Algeria has officially launched the construction of a new section of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a large-scale energy project designed to transport natural gas from Nigeria to European markets through Niger and Algeria, in what officials describe as one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings on the African continent.
The inauguration ceremony marked the beginning of welding operations on the Algerian segment of the pipeline, which will feature a 48-inch diameter structure. The section under construction will stretch approximately 1,210 kilometres from the Niger border to the town of Aoulef in southern Algeria. From there, it will connect to Algeria’s national gas transport network, which leads to the Hassi R’Mel field, the largest natural gas field in Africa and a key hub in the country’s energy system.
From Hassi R’Mel, the gas will be channelled through existing infrastructure toward export terminals located in Beni Saf on Algeria’s western Mediterranean coast and El Kala in the east near the Tunisian border, positioning Algeria as a major transit point for gas exports to Europe.
The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project, when fully completed, will span about 4,327 kilometres in total. It is designed to link Nigeria’s gas-rich Warri region in the south of the country to Algeria’s Mediterranean export facilities, passing through Niger along the route. Within Nigeria, the pipeline covers approximately 1,185 kilometres, while Niger hosts about 720 kilometres. Algeria accounts for the largest portion of the route, with 2,424 kilometres in total, including both existing infrastructure and newly constructed sections.
According to project documents and officials, the pipeline is expected to transport more than 20 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually once operational. This volume is intended to strengthen energy supply to European markets while also improving gas monetisation for participating African countries.
At the launch event, Algerian Energy and Mines Minister Mohamed Arkab, alongside representatives from Nigeria and Niger, emphasized that the project represents a milestone in African energy cooperation. Arkab said the initiative reflects Algeria’s broader vision under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to deepen South-South partnerships and enhance regional integration in strategic sectors such as energy.
He described the pipeline as more than just an infrastructure project, calling it a “driver of economic and social development,” with the potential to generate employment, increase revenue, and support long-term industrial growth across the participating countries. He also noted its importance in strengthening Africa’s role in global energy security and expanding access to international markets.
Officials from Niger also welcomed the development. Niger’s Petroleum Minister, Hamadou Tene, announced that construction of the Niger section, which spans about 720 kilometres, is expected to begin in early 2027. He described the project as a historic undertaking that would bring significant economic and social benefits to communities along the pipeline corridor, particularly in terms of job creation and infrastructure development.
Overall, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline is being positioned as a strategic energy corridor linking West Africa’s gas reserves to European demand, while also serving as a symbol of growing regional cooperation among Nigeria, Niger, and Algeria in the energy sector.