Increasing Russian influence in Africa could result in political and even military pressure.
Russian investors are interested in the construction of the pipeline, which will be natural gas flows from Nigeria to Morocco and further to Europe. This was reported by Russian media with reference to the Minister of Oil Resources of Nigeria Timire Silva.
The minister noted that the pipeline should deliver gas produced in Nigeria, “through many African countries to the very edge of the continent”, where Abuja will gain access to the European market. He also said that the government will start implementing the project by May 2023.
So far, nothing has been said about the interest of Russian investors in the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, says Dmitry Koptev, an expert at the Institute for the Development of Fuel and Energy (IRTTEK): “On the other hand, According to the expert, Russia has accumulated extensive experience in the construction of underwater gas pipelines, and these competencies must be applied, otherwise they will be gradually lost. “
” Russia's influence in Africa is growing, and it is logical to allow Russian participation in the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, “said Vasyl Koltashov, head of the Center for Political Economic Research at the New Society Institute.
However, the “collective West” seeks to limit Russia as much as possible in its participation in international projects, Koptev said. At the same time, Nigeria Morocco Gas Pipeline is designed to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian gas supplies. “Which component will prevail is a question. But it cannot be ruled out that the mention of Russian investors is just a game of Nigerians, who thus want to get better conditions from Western partners.”
The project of the African gas pipeline, its participation may be political and even, possibly, in the military aspect, Koltashov admits.
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