Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project and Energy Security: Prospects and Challenges

References

[1] Adebajo, A. (2021). Nigeria’s insecurity crisis: Causes and consequences. Centre for Democracy and Development.

[2] Akinyemi, T., & Oke, M. (2022). Infrastructure development and energy security in West Africa: Opportunities and challenges. African Journal of Development Studies, 17(2), 45–63.

[3] Ang, B. W., Choong, W. L., & Ng, T. S. (2015). Energy security: Definitions, dimensions and indexes. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 42, 1077–1093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.10.064

[4] Arise News. (2025, March 15). NNPC announces 72% completion of $2.8bn Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline Project. Arise News. https://www.arise.tv

[5] Asuni, J. B. (2009). Blood oil in the Niger Delta. United States Institute of Peace.

[6] BusinessDay. (2023, April 25). $2.5bn AKK gas pipeline project on course to deliver by Q3 ’23 – NNPCL. BusinessDay NG. https://businessday.ng

[7] Cambridge Research Institute. (2025). The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and geopolitical interdependence. Cambridge Research Institute.

[8] Channels Television. (2025, July 1). NNPCL announces successful River Niger crossing on AKK gas pipeline. Channels TV. https://www.channelstv.com

[9] Cherp, A., & Jewell, J. (2014). The concept of energy security: Beyond the four As. Energy Policy, 75, 415–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2014.09.005

[10] Colgan, J. D. (2013). Fueling the fire: Pathways from oil to war. International Security, 38(2), 147–180. https://doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00135

[11] Ebohon, O. J., & Ikeme, J. (2005). Dealing with energy issues in Africa: Energy transition and sustainable development. Energy Policy, 34(18), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2005.01.010

[12] Energy Capital & Power. (2022, July 28). Nigeria, Algeria, Niger sign agreements to advance Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project. https://energycapitalpower.com/nigeria-algeria-niger-sign-agreements-to-advance-trans-saharan-gas-pipeline-project

[13] French Institute of International Relations (IFRI). (2010). The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline: An illusion or a real prospect? IFRI.

[14] Goldthau, A., & Witte, J. M. (2010). Global energy governance: The new rules of the game. Brookings Institution Press.

[15] Henderson, J. (2022). Russian gas to Europe: The impact of war and sanctions. Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. https://doi.org/10.26889/9781784671960

[16] Henderson, J. (2022). Russia’s gas pivot and Europe’s energy security. Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. https://www.oxfordenergy.org

[17] Henderson, J. (2022). The future of African gas: Prospects for trans-Saharan energy trade. Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

[18] International Crisis Group. (2021). Violence and insecurity in the Sahel: Regional responses and prospects. International Crisis Group. https://www.crisisgroup.org

[19] International Crisis Group. (2023). Niger: Transition at risk. International Crisis Group. https://www.crisisgroup.orga

[20] International Energy Agency (IEA). (2019). The future of hydrogen and natural gas. OECD/IEA.

[21] Keenan, J. (2009). The In Amenas gas facility attack: Security lessons for Algeria’s energy sector. The Journal of North African Studies, 14(3), 423–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629380902948175

[22] Keohane, R. O., & Nye, J. S. (2011). Power and interdependence (4th ed.). Longman.

[23] Lacher, W. (2013). Challenging the myth of AQIM in the Sahara-Sahel. Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik.

[24] Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). (2021). Annual report and financial statements. NNPC.

[25] Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). (2021). Annual statistical bulletin. NNPC.

[26] Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). (2022). AKK Gas Pipeline Project. https://www.nnpcgroup.com/

[27] NS Energy. (n.d.). Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline. NS Energy Business. https://www.nsenergybusiness.com

[28] Nwoke, C. N. (2018). Nigeria and the political economy of the Trans Saharan Gas Pipeline. Nigerian Journal of International Studies, 44(1), 1–23.

[29] Nwoke, C. N. (2018). Nigeria, Algeria and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project: Issues and prospects. Journal of Energy Studies, 25(2), 45–62.

[30] Okonjo-Iweala, N. (2019). Fighting corruption is dangerous: The story behind the headlines. MIT Press.

[31] Oxford Business Group. (2022). Nigeria and Algeria’s renewed push for the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline. Oxford Business Group. https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/

[32] Payne Institute for Public Policy. (2022). The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline in context: Security, governance, and market challenges. Colorado School of Mines.

[33] S&P Global Commodity Insights. (2022, June 21). Algeria, Niger, Nigeria pledge acceleration of work on Trans-Saharan gas link. https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights

[34] Salisu, B. (2021). Nigeria’s gas export strategy and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline. Journal of African Energy Studies, 7(1), 44–59.

[35] Smil, V. (2017). Energy and civilization: A history. MIT Press.

[36] Sovacool, B. K. (2016). How long will it take? Conceptualizing the temporal dynamics of energy transitions. Energy Research & Social Science, 13, 202–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2015.12.020

[37] Sovacool, B. K., & Mukherjee, I. (2011). Conceptualizing and measuring energy security: A synthesized approach. Energy, 36(8), 5343–5355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2011.06.043

[38] Tagliapietra, S. (2017). Energy relations in the Euro-Mediterranean: A political economy perspective. Palgrave Macmillan.

[39] The Nation. (2023, April 25). NNPCL expenditure on AKK pipeline hits $1.1bn. The Nation Nigeria. https://thenationonlineng.net

[40] Umar, A., & Adamu, S. (2021). The Trans Saharan Gas Pipeline and the geopolitics of energy in Africa. Journal of Energy Studies and Policy, 5(2), 33–48.

[41] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2011). Environmental assessment of Ogoniland. UNEP.

[42] Vanguard News. (2023, April 25). NNPCL pays $1.1bn to AKK contractors, targets Q3 completion date. Vanguard News. https://www.vanguardngr.com

[43] Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Natural Gas Pipeline. In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano_Natural_Gas_Pipeline

[44] Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Trans-Saharan gas pipeline. In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 29, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Saharan_gas_pipeline

[45] Winzer, C. (2012). Conceptualizing energy security. Energy Policy, 46, 36–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.067

[46] World Bank. (2009). Chad–Cameroon pipeline project: Lessons in project security and governance. World Bank.

[47] Yergin, D. (1991). The prize: The epic quest for oil, money, and power. Free Press.

[48] Yun, Y. (2023). Energy security cooperation in Africa-Europe relations: The case of transnational pipelines. Journal of Energy Policy Studies, 15(1), 77–95.

@article{1710394,
      author = {Abubakar Liman PhD , Fatima Abubakar Katcha},
      title = {Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project and Energy Security: Prospects and Challenges},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {9},
      number = {3},
      pages = {82-90},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1710394.pdf},
      abstract = {This paper examines the proposed 4,128 kilometers Trans-Saharan Pipeline gas project gas pipeline. The project is one of Africa?s most ambitious cross-border infrastructural projects linking Nigeria?s vast and natural gas reserve to European market via Niger and Algeria. The project is viewed to be of significance towards enhancing Nigeria?s foreign exchange earnings, expand domestic energy infrastructure, create jobs and reduce gas flaring, stimulates industrialization, strengthen regional integration and bolster Nigeria?s geopolitical influences. However, the project is fractioned by significant socio-economic, political and security challenges along the pipeline route. These may include but not limited to armed insurgencies, banditry and terrorism by Boko Haram and ISWAP. Others include foreign investors caution, corruption risks and environmental concerns. Drawing from Energy security theory and qualitative research design backed by secondary data, this study attempts to evaluate the policy proposals, the benefits and the challenges associated with the project. The study concluded that although Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline holds the potential to transform the Nigerian energy sector and regional energy dynamics, unless the critical challenges are overcome, the project will forever be a dream. The paper recommends the need to strengthening regional partnerships, enhanced security measures and incentives for private sector participation. },
      keywords = {Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, security, energy security, natural gas},
      month = {September},
  }