Nouakchott – Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, said, on Tuesday in Nouakchott, that partnerships with African countries bordering the coastal basin will see significant development in the energy field in the coming years.

In a statement to MAP on the sidelines of her participation in the 3rd Oil, Gas and Energy Conference of the Littoral Basin Countries (Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea Conakry), which kicked off on Tuesday in the Mauritanian capital, Benali stressed that this meeting was an opportunity to renew the importance the Kingdom of Morocco attaches to South-South Cooperation.

Partnership relations with these countries will undergo comprehensive development in the coming years in many areas, including energy, she said.

After affirming that regional cooperation in the fields of energy and sustainable development remains an essential pillar of Morocco’s energy strategy, given its role in accelerating the energy transition, the Minister stressed that the mega Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project, to which His Majesty the King attaches great importance, will undoubtedly contribute to the socio-economic development of many African countries.

Benali also highlighted Morocco’s efforts to strengthen its gas infrastructure, pointing out that the first projects will be put out to tender in 2024 as part of a partnership between the national and international public and private sectors.

With regard to relations with Mauritania, Benali praised the fact that trade with this country has grown by over 50% in recent years.