Two rival pipeline projects are competing to transport Nigerian natural gas to European markets, reflecting a broader shift in African geopolitics from political solidarity toward economic competition. According to the Algerian daily Le Matin d'Algérie, Algeria is accelerating the trans-Saharan gas pipeline project linking Nigeria to Algeria, alongside the reopening of Algerian banks in West Africa and the relaunch of the trans-Saharan road. The newspaper notes that Algeria's African policy has long been built on political heritage and non-alignment, but that this era no longer suffices to structure the continent's power relations. Africa in 2026 seeks investors, banks, infrastructure and commercial outlets, forcing Algiers to rethink its presence.

Competing with this project is the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, as reported by the Iranian daily Donya-e Eqtesad. The newspaper states that Morocco, which lacks large natural gas reserves, is trying to become a major player in the African and European energy market by leveraging its geographic position. The pipeline is designed to carry gas from West Africa to Europe. However, Donya-e Eqtesad notes that the project faces serious challenges, including very high costs, the length of the route, and competition from the trans-Saharan pipeline, which is shorter and cheaper.

Both projects are part of a wider contest for influence on the continent. Le Matin d'Algérie observes that while Algeria reactivates its economic diplomacy, other actors have taken a head start. Morocco has built a methodical strategy over two decades based on banks, insurance, telecommunications, fertiliser industry and port platforms. Turkey multiplies contracts in infrastructure, defence industries and air transport. China remains the primary financier of many African infrastructures through the Belt and Road Initiative. The United Arab Emirates invests heavily in ports, logistics and supply chains. India strengthens its pharmaceutical and digital presence. Even Saudi Arabia accelerates its agricultural and mining investments.

The multiplication of actors is profoundly changing the rules of the game, according to Le Matin d'Algérie. Influence is no longer measured solely by the quality of diplomatic relations but depends on the ability to finance projects, secure investments and create sustainable economic interdependencies. In Africa, logistics corridors sometimes count as much as political alliances. Algeria possesses rare assets: the most developed energy industry on the continent alongside Nigeria, a gas infrastructure network providing direct access to European markets, and a territory that naturally connects the Mediterranean to the Sahel. The trans-Saharan road, long underutilised, could become one of the main commercial axes linking Algiers to Lagos.

Neither source provides a specific timeline for completion or final investment decisions on either pipeline. Le Matin d'Algérie describes the trans-Saharan project as being accelerated, while Donya-e Eqtesad presents the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline as facing serious challenges. The two projects represent competing visions of how to connect African gas reserves to global markets, with each country seeking to position itself as the indispensable transit hub.