Latest news with #ONHYM
Ya Biladi
16-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's ONHYM to take part in U.S.-Africa Energy Forum
The National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) will present Morocco's growing energy and mining ambitions to U.S. investors at the U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) 2025 in Houston. Nawfal Drari, ONHYM's Director of Project Finance, will speak at the Forum, which will take place from August 6 to 7, 2025, in Texas. Drari will join global stakeholders in Houston to discuss financing, infrastructure, and cross-border cooperation, underscoring Morocco's expanding role as an energy and mining hub. His participation follows the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline with Nigeria's NNPC and Togo's SOTOCO, marking a key step in regional energy integration. The 5,600-kilometer pipeline is set to connect 13 West African countries and supply gas to Europe via Morocco. Morocco is also advancing structural reforms, including the transformation of ONHYM into a joint-stock company to improve governance, transparency, and its appeal to foreign investors. The country is actively promoting opportunities in critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, as well as green hydrogen, with more than 520 GW of renewable energy potential identified.
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Morocco reports progress on trans-Africa gas pipeline
The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project seems to be making significant progress, with Rabat hosting this week several high-level meetings to discuss the project. The project, which will stretch across 13 African countries, gained momentum during technical and steering committee meetings held during 10-11 July in Rabat. The gatherings brought together top executives from national oil companies across West Africa to review the project's progress. The ambitious pipeline has already cleared several important milestones with detailed design completed in 2024, and environmental and social impact assessments completed for the northern section. Similar studies for the southern segment, running from Nigeria to Senegal, are now underway. The pipeline will carry 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually when complete. Developers plan to build it in phases, with a holding company overseeing financing and construction. Three separate project companies will handle different segments of the route, according to Moroccan officials. During the Rabat meetings, officials signed a new memorandum of understanding between three key players, namely Nigeria's National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Morocco's ONHYM, and Togo's National Gas Company (SOTOGAZ). The agreement marks Togo's official entry into the project and completes the series of partnerships with all countries along the pipeline route. The pipeline will start in Nigeria and run along the Atlantic coast through Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania before reaching Morocco. From there, it will connect to the existing Maghreb-Europe Pipeline and European gas networks. The project will also supply gas to three landlocked countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Morocco World
12-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project Advances as Officials Meet in Rabat
Rabat — The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project seems to be making significant progress, with Rabat hosting this week several high-level meetings to discuss the project. The project, which will stretch across 13 African countries, gained momentum during technical and steering committee meetings held on July 10-11 in Rabat. The gatherings brought together top executives from national oil companies across West Africa to review the project's progress. Officials from Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) organized the meetings, which also included representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO). Project reaches key milestones The ambitious pipeline has already cleared several important hurdles. Engineers completed detailed design studies in 2024, and teams finished environmental and social impact assessments for the northern section. Similar studies for the southern segment, running from Nigeria to Senegal, are now underway. The pipeline will carry 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually when complete. Developers plan to build it in phases, with a holding company overseeing financing and construction. Three separate project companies will handle different segments of the route. In December 2024, West African leaders approved the Intergovernmental Agreement during the 66th CEDEAO Summit, spelling out each country's rights and responsibilities for the project. New partnership agreement signed During the Rabat meetings, officials signed a new memorandum of understanding between three key players, namely Nigeria's National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Morocco's ONHYM, and Togo's National Gas Company (SOTOGAZ). The agreement marks Togo's official entry into the project and completes the series of partnerships with all countries along the pipeline route. Connecting Africa to Europe The pipeline will start in Nigeria and run along the Atlantic coast through Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania before reaching Morocco. From there, it will connect to the existing Maghreb-Europe Pipeline and European gas networks. The project will also supply gas to three landlocked countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Royal vision for African integration King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched this strategic initiative together. The Moroccan monarch said he sees the pipeline as a way to boost African development, improve living conditions across the region, and strengthen economic ties between African nations. Officials believe the project will give Africa greater economic, political, and strategic influence while serving as a major driver of regional integration. The pipeline aligns with Morocco's broader Atlantic Initiative, which aims to increase cooperation between Atlantic-facing African countries. The project promises significant economic and social benefits for all 13 countries along its route, potentially transforming energy access and economic opportunities across West Africa. Tags: gas pipelineGas Pipeline ProjectMorocco Nigeria
Morocco World
26-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches Ambitious Public Sector Reform with ONHYM Restructuring
The Moroccan government has approved the transformation of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) into a joint-stock company. This marks the first concrete step in a broader public sector reform agenda. Draft law No. 56.24, adopted by the Government Council today, sets ONHYM on a new path aimed at strengthening strategic efficiency, improving institutional performance, and optimizing national resources. This decision falls in line with Morocco's broader vision which strives to achieve deep reform and address long-standing structural issues in public institutions. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition described the transformation as a strategic shift, placing ONHYM at the center of Morocco's economic and institutional renewal. According to the minister, this reform did not emerge in isolation. It was shaped through collaboration among the Head of Government's Office, ONHYM, her ministry, and the National Agency for the Strategic Management of State Holdings and Monitoring of Public Enterprises' Performance (ANGSPE). The law draws directly from Framework Law No. 50.21 and Law No. 82.20, and seeks to introduce a new governance model for ONHYM. It also opens the door to stronger performance, diversified funding sources, and more effective use of national assets. Benali further noted that this change would boost economic and territorial value and allow the agency to contribute more significantly to Morocco's development goals. Created in 2003 through the merger of two specialized institutions, ONHYM has built a solid base of geoscientific data and technical expertise. It has played a key role in identifying numerous mineral deposits, and now stands to gain more autonomy and financial agility under the new structure. The minister pointed to recent reforms within the energy and mining sectors, including updates to legal frameworks, the withdrawal of inactive permits, increased investment in natural gas, and a push toward digitization and better public service. She said that transforming ONHYM is a natural continuation of these efforts. Under the new model, ONHYM will be allowed to form subsidiaries and take part in the capital of other companies. The state will retain majority voting rights, and employee rights will be preserved. ONHYM will also continue, on a transitional basis, to operate in gas transport and storage. Benali described this shift as a crucial mechanism for repositioning ONHYM within the national economy and linking it more effectively to global value chains. She said the reform supports Morocco's pursuit of energy sovereignty and industrial transformation and aligns with a larger national strategy to improve the performance of over 50 public institutions. This new reform represents a new phase in public investment, national development, and the responsible management of Morocco's strategic assets. As the North African country advances toward energy sovereignty and deeper integration into global value chains, this reform sets a precedent for future public sector transformations. Tags: Moroccomorocco infrastructureMorocco miningONHYM
Morocco World
26-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline: ECOWAS Poised to Give Final Approval
Marrakech – The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project awaits its final institutional step as ECOWAS heads of state prepare to give their official approval. This strategic 6,900-kilometer pipeline aims to strengthen energy security across West Africa while fostering industrial and social development in the region. Amina Benkhadra, Director General of Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbures and Mines (ONHYM), announced the project's advancement during the 17th US-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, which concluded yesterday. 'The Intergovernmental Agreement has been endorsed by energy ministers of the concerned countries and approved by ECOWAS,' Benkhadra stated. 'The official signature by the heads of state will constitute the final institutional milestone before implementation begins.' The project, co-led by ONHYM and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has already achieved several key technical, environmental, and institutional benchmarks. Implementation will proceed gradually, adapted to regional specificities. Also known as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, it will benefit 13 coastal countries and 3 landlocked countries, helping to structure a regional electricity market. Morocco views this initiative as part of its broader energy strategy aimed at ensuring national energy security while expanding access to natural gas across the continent. 'Access to natural gas, a clean and available resource, must be expanded across the continent to support its development,' Benkhadra noted during a high-level session titled 'Unleashing Africa's Gas Potential: Pathways to Sustainable Growth and Energy Security.' She stressed Morocco's position as a bridge between continents and a regional stability actor. 'Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is working to play a driving role in African development by leveraging its geostrategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and America,' Benkhadra added. The director general pointed out Morocco's unique status as the only African country with a free trade agreement with the United States, positioning it as a convergence platform between Africa and major global economies. Morocco was represented at the summit by a strong multisectoral delegation led by Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government for Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies. The delegation included leaders from key public and private sector organizations, including AMDIE, ONHYM, ONCF, CGEM, MEDZ, MARSA Maroc, and representatives from Moroccan banks. During the summit, Zidane held bilateral meetings with several counterparts, including José de Lima Massano, Angola's Minister of State for Economic Coordination, Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Isaac Francisco Maria dos Anjos, Minister of Agriculture and Forests of Angola, and Mohamed Chimi, Egyptian Minister of Public Business Sector. These discussions confirmed a shared desire to strengthen dynamic partnerships in strategic sectors, including investment, industry, agriculture, and trade. The summit, themed 'Pathways to Prosperity: A Shared Vision for US-Africa Partnership,' gathered over 1,500 participants, including heads of state and high-level government officials, serving as a major platform for economic dialogue between the US and African countries. Notably, the US and Angola refused to allow the Polisario Front's self-styled 'SADR' to participate, marking another diplomatic setback for the Algiers regime. This decision reinforces Morocco's legitimate rights over its Sahara, with over 90% of African nations now supporting the North African country's position. The ONHYM delegation also held exchanges with several partners, including the Angolan sovereign wealth fund. Read also: Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Tops President Tinubu's Priorities
