Mauritania plans to secure $17 billion in funding for the development of the BirAllah Gas Hub, a project that will contribute to European gas imports from Africa via the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP). The BirAllah Gas Hub aims to position Mauritania as a leading European gas supplier, leveraging its estimated 50-80 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of reserves. The government targets a Final Investment Decision by the end of 2025, with first gas production expected in 2030.
Project Highlights
- Development Cost: $17 billion
- LNG Capacity: 10 Mtpa
- First Gas: 2030
- Reserves: 50-80 Tcf
The gas produced will serve domestic power generation and industrial needs, while the remainder will support export operations, enhancing regional energy security and industrial development.
De-Risking the TSGP Through Diversification
Historically, the TSGP has relied heavily on Nigeria’s Niger Delta gas production, which faces challenges such as insecurity, sabotage, and contractual instability. Bringing BirAllah online provides:
- Risk diversification: Ensures uninterrupted flows even if one source is disrupted.
- Operational resilience: Positions the TSGP as a world-class, multi-source corridor, comparable to Europe’s existing gas networks.
A Call to Global Investors
Mauritania’s government is actively seeking global partners to co-develop the BirAllah Gas Hub. Opportunities span:
- Upstream exploration and production
- Midstream infrastructure, including pipelines and LNG facilities
- Downstream industries, such as petrochemical complexes and power plants
With a stable political climate and a clear regulatory framework, Mauritania is emerging as one of Africa’s most attractive frontiers for energy investment.
“This is Africa’s moment to redefine the global gas market. BirAllah, linked to TSGP, will turn Mauritania into a bridge between African resources and European demand,” said a senior government advisor during a recent energy forum in Nouakchott.
Transforming African and European Energy
The BirAllah Gas Hub serves as a vital connection between African gas resources and European markets, supporting multiple strategic objectives:
- European energy security through supply diversification
- Regional industrial development
- Job creation and improved GDP for Mauritania and other ECOWAS member states
A New Energy Map
Beyond a $17 billion megaproject, BirAllah is a strategic pivot point that could:
- Accelerate Europe’s shift away from Russian energy
- Boost Africa’s role as a global energy supplier
- Drive industrial transformation across Mauritania and West Africa
- Create local opportunities for allied services to the oil & gas sector
When aligned with the TSGP, BirAllah will not only reshape Mauritania’s future, but also redraw the global energy map, turning Africa into a cornerstone of Europe’s energy security.
For investors, the timing is perfect: 2025-2030 will define the next generation of energy partnerships between Africa and Europe, and BirAllah sits at the very heart of this transformation.