A new study by the Policy Center says the Kingdom has a growing industry to keep the continent from running out of gas after the war in Ukraine and high prices

Morocco could be crucial to keep Africa from running out of gas

The war in Ukraine continues to raise fears in many nations about the lack of energy resources and the high prices being imposed. Many countries are already looking for alternatives, but all the experts point out that Africa will be the worst affected by the consequences of the war. The countries of the African continent seem likely to suffer the most severe consequences of the conflict, as they have fewer monetary resources to survive the crisis. However, a new study by the Policy Center assures that the continent has nothing to fear. 

After analysing the gas market in Africa, the report points out that Morocco could be a key factor in ensuring that the continent is not as severely impacted as it already is. Policy Center argues that the Alawi country is at one of its best moments, in energy terms, and right now has significant and growing gas potential. 

The Kingdom is one of seven nations that account for 90% of Africa's gas reserves, along with Nigeria, Algeria, Mozambique, Egypt, Libya and Cameroon. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the North African region is the one with the largest reserves of this hydrocarbon, with 48% of the continent's total. 

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Although Morocco is still considered a small gas producer, its presence in the near future could be decisive in halting this energy crisis. In recent months, the Maghreb country has found important gas wells, which are being studied and are likely to be exploitable and productive, making the Kingdom a major generator of resources. 

The report also points out that, thanks to the recent agreement signed with Spain, the nation will be able to use the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline and supply itself with liquefied natural gas (LNG), filling its reserves of this fuel. Subsequently, and with a look at the current situation, this could be fundamental for the continent's supply. 

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However, Morocco has diversified its LNG suppliers and thanks to an agreement with Sound Energy, it can obtain more than 350 million m3 of LNG over 10 years. It should also be noted that the Alawi kingdom is currently building a terminal to receive this resource in the port of Mohammedia.

Nigeria, Algeria and Mozambique are the largest gas suppliers in Africa

"Despite the disruption of the global gas market, the African continent should not be affected in terms of finding the gas it needs," says the Policy Center. What the Moroccan firm does point out is that the only consequence that African countries will have to face is the high price of energy resources. But even so, everything suggests that Africa is capable of coping with the repercussions of the war in Ukraine. The company identifies that since 2020, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, fuel prices have already reached historic highs.  

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Despite this, Morocco is not yet classified as a major gas producer. The Kingdom is still considered very small alongside countries such as Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. However, it is worth noting that the Alawi country is an exporter and importer of gas, as well as possessing one of the world's pioneering renewable energy industries, which is very important in order to move away from dependence on hydrocarbons. 

Nigeria has 5.5 trillion m3 of gas, making it the country with the largest reserves in Africa. It is followed by Algeria with 4.5 trillion m3 and Mozambique with 2.8 trillion m3. These three territories alone account for 70% of the continent's gas deposits, so they can also play a role in curbing this crisis. In addition, Algeria, Nigeria and Egypt are only the three countries that produce gas at the highest level. These three countries alone account for 87% of the continent's total production.
 

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