Algeria marked a historic milestone on Thursday, June 4, 2026, with the official launch of construction for its segment of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP). The ceremony, held in the Ulf region of Adrar Province in southern Algeria, was jointly presided over by Algeria's Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, alongside Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Niger's Minister of Petroleum, Hamadou Teni.
Algeria Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline launch
The event, attended by key officials including the Governor of Adrar Province, Dowiifi Fodil, the CEO of Sonatrach, Nourredine Daoudi, and representatives from Nigeria's NNPC and Niger's SONIDEP, signifies a pivotal step in realizing this strategic continental energy project. This follows the fifth ministerial meeting of the TSGP steering committee in Algiers, which culminated in the joint approval of the final feasibility study report and its recommendations.
The launch of the Algerian section is described as a crucial phase in the execution of the TSGP, a project designed to transport between 20 and 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Nigeria, through Niger, to Algeria, and subsequently to regional and international markets. Algeria's advanced infrastructure for natural gas transport, processing, and export will be leveraged.
Furthermore, this segment will accommodate future gas volumes from Nigeria via Niger, in addition to potentially transporting additional gas from Algeria's current, discovered, and new gas basins, particularly the Ahnet basin. This expansion is set to enhance transport, collection, and export capabilities, thereby increasing the value of the gas resources for all three nations.
Ministers from the three countries emphasized that the project embodies the shared political will of their leaders to foster an exemplary African energy partnership based on integration, solidarity, and mutual benefit. They highlighted that moving to the construction phase represents a decisive step in realizing one of Africa's largest structuring energy projects.
The adoption of the feasibility study results and the commencement of execution phases underscore the strong trust and coordination among Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria. The ministers reiterated their commitment to advancing the project, with Nigeria pledging its full support to ensure its success, recognizing its substantial strategic importance for the three nations and the African continent.
Niger's Minister of Petroleum, Hamadou Teni, characterized the TSGP as a cornerstone of cooperation, projecting positive impacts that will extend beyond the three participating countries to the entire African continent. He noted its potential to drive economic development, bolster regional integration, and optimize the utilization of Africa's energy resources.
The ministers also praised the support from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for African cooperation initiatives and South-South partnerships, affirming that the TSGP aligns with the vision of enhancing continental integration and developing strategic infrastructure for sustainable development across Africa. The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline is recognized as one of the continent's most significant energy structuring projects, aligning with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) objectives, and is poised to become a powerful driver for investment, development, job creation, energy security, and economic integration among African nations.
Related topics: Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, Algeria energy project, Nigeria Niger Algeria gas, African energy infrastructure, Sonatrach, Regional cooperation
DZWatch provides English-language coverage of Algeria-focused developments for international readers.
