Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to promote a regional gas pipeline project that would connect Nigeria’s gas resources, those of several West African countries and Morocco.

This is to foster regional economic integration.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, said this in a communiqué presented before the visiting Moroccan King President Mohammed VI and President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

According to him, the gas pipeline project would also accelerate energy and electrification projects across the affected member countries.

He said the pipeline project would be designed with the participation of all parties involved to create a competitive regional electricity market with the potential to be connected to the European energy markets.

He said Nigeria and Morocco also agreed to develop integrated industrial clusters in the sub-region in sectors such as manufacturing, Agro-business and fertilizers to attract foreign capital and improve export competitiveness.

The minister said the two countries also agreed on stimulating the local transformation of widely available natural resources for both domestic and international.

“It is expected that multiple project opportunities will arise for industrial operators and financial capital by fostering deeper economic integration grounded on positive externalities, sustainable synergies and inclusive approaches

“This South-South open platform will accelerate the structural transformation of the national economies of the region, thereby putting the entire region on a higher growth path.

“The two heads of State agreed to set up a Bilateral Coordination Body to monitor this important project and commended such a strategic Cooperation in Africa,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the end of the 3-day official visit of King Mohammed VI to Nigeria, 21 Bilateral Agreements were signed between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco.

NAN reports that seven of the agreements were signed on Friday, while the remaining 14 agreements were signed on Saturday.

The agreements signed on Friday were Agreement between OCP and Dangote to develop fertilizer business in Nigeria; and Cooperation Agreement in Strengthening the local blending capabilities and Agriculture Eco-System.

The last one was Agreement on the Exemption of Visas for Diplomatic and Official Service Passport.

The rest include the Bilateral Air Service Agreement Between Morocco and Nigeria; Agreement on Marine Fisheries Cooperation; Agreement in the field of Agriculture, and Agreement Between Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy and its Nigerian counterpart.

President Muhammadu Buhari and the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI witnessed all the signing of the 21 Bilateral Agreements, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

(NAN)