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Afrika Atlantik Gaz Boru Hattı ve Trans-Sahra Gaz Boru Hattı: Kuzey Afrika, Batı Afrika ve Sahel Üçgeninde Jeopolitik Rekabet

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 1, 67 - 98, 31.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.47932/ortetut.1745945

Abstract

Bu makale, Afrika’nın enerji jeopolitiğinde gündemde olan iki gaz boru hattı projesinin -Afrika Atlantik Gaz Boru Hattı (Nijerya-Fas-Avrupa) ve Trans-Sahra Gaz Boru Hattı (Nijerya-Cezayir-Avrupa)- bölgesel ve uluslararası siyasi etkilerini, sadece ekonomi veya enerji transferi üzerinden değil jeopolitik araçlar olarak da karşılaştırmaktadır. Çalışma, iki boru hattı projesinin Batı Afrika, Sahel ve Kuzey Afrika’daki jeopolitik rekabeti, Nijerya’nın enerji-politik stratejisindeki konumlarını ve Avrupa’nın enerji güvenliğindeki önemlerini nasıl şekillendirdiğini sorunsallaştırmaktadır. Jeopolitik rekabet, bölgesel güç dengesi ve enerji güvenliği eksenleri üzerinden teorik ve ampirik analiz yürütmektedir. Mackinder’in Kalpgah Teorisi ile Mearsheimer’ın saldırgan neorealizm yaklaşımı, bu projelerin uluslararası ilişkiler bağlamındaki etkilerini yorumlamak için temel çerçeveler oluşturmaktadır. Enerji altyapı projelerinin iş birliği veya çatışma ortamı yaratma potansiyeline dair değerlendirmede ise Keohane ve Nye’ın kompleks karşılıklı bağımlılık yaklaşımı kullanılmaktadır. Yergin ve Vivoda’nın görüşleriyle desteklenen enerji güvenliği paradigması da Avrupa Birliği (AB) bağlamında projeleri analiz etmek için kullanılmaktadır. Çalışma, belge analizi, karşılaştırmalı vakıa analizi ve SWOT analizi destekli olası senaryolar üzerinden stratejik analiz tekniklerini kullanan nitel bir araştırma yöntemi benimsemektedir. Analiz, Fas ve Cezayir arasındaki bölgesel bölgesel rekabeti, Nijerya’nın stratejik pozisyonu ve AB’nin enerji politikalarına dayanan çok boyutlu bir çerçeve etrafında yapılandırılmıştır. İki boru hattı projesi enerji nakil altyapısı ve jeopolitik güç projeksiyonları olarak ele alınmaktadır. Bunlar Kuzey Afrika, Sahel ve Batı Afrika bağlamında şekillenen bölgesel güç rekabetinde jeopolitik kaldıraçlar olarak değerlendirilmektedir.

References

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The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline: Geopolitical Competition in North Africa, West Africa, and the Sahel Triangle

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 1, 67 - 98, 31.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.47932/ortetut.1745945

Abstract

This article compares the regional and international political impacts of two gas pipeline projects currently on the agenda in Africa's energy geopolitics -the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (Nigeria-Morocco-Europe) and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (Nigeria-Algeria-Europe)- not merely through the lens of economics or energy transfer, but as geopolitical instruments. The study questions how the two pipeline projects shape geopolitical competition in West Africa, the Sahel, and North Africa, their positions in Nigeria’s energy-political strategy, and their importance for Europe's energy security. It conducts theoretical and empirical analysis along the axes of geopolitical competition, regional power balance, and energy security. Mackinder's Heartland Theory and Mearsheimer's offensive neorealist approach are the basic frameworks for interpreting the effects of these projects in the context of international relations. Keohane and Nye's complex interdependence approach is used to assess the potential of energy infrastructure projects to create an environment of cooperation or conflict. The energy security paradigm supported by Yergin and Vivoda's views is also used to analyze the projects in the European Union (EU) context. The study adopts a qualitative research method using document analysis, comparative case analysis, and strategic analysis techniques based on SWOT analysis-supported scenarios. The analysis is structured around a multidimensional framework based on regional competition between Morocco and Algeria, Nigeria's strategic position, and the EU's energy policies. The two pipeline projects are considered as energy transportation infrastructure and geopolitical power projections. These are evaluated geopolitical levers in the regional power competition shaping the North Africa, Sahel, and West Africa contexts.

References

  • Agence Marocaine de Presse (MAP). “Atlantique: Les Etats Membres du Processus de Rabat Saluent l’Initiative et Le Leadership du Maroc.” September 25, 2024. https://www.mapnews.ma/fr/actualites/monde/atlantique-les-etats-membres-du-processus-de-rabat-saluent-l%E2%80%99initiative-et-le.
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  • Augé, Benjamin. “Le Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline: Mirage ou Reelle Opportunité.” IFRI, Note, 2010.
  • Bencherifa, Abdellatif and Yousra Abourabi. “The Royal Atlantic Initiative (RAI): A Geopolitical Lever for Morocco’s African Integration.” Afrique(s) en Mouvement, no. 9: (2024): 4-7.
  • Boyer, Michel. “Historicizing The Atlantic Morocco from the Horizon of the New Worlds to the Globalized World.” Afrique(s) en Mouvement, no. 9: (2024): 32-43.
  • British Petroleum, Statistical Review of World Energy. 70th ed. London: BP, 2021.
  • Chamkhi, Said and Khadija Boutkhili. “Les Relations Maroco-Nigérianes à la Lumière de l’Alternance Politique au Nigeria.” Revue Espace Géographique et Société Marocaine, no. 19 (2017): 113-128.
  • Cherp, Aleh and Jessica Jewell. “The Three Perspectives on Energy Security: Intellectual History, Disciplinary Roots and the Potential for Integration.” Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 3, no. 4 (2011): 202-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2011.07.001.
  • Dağ, Fatih. “Cezayir ile Sahel Devletleri İttifakı Karşı Karşıya: Bir Sınır Anlaşmazlığından Bölgesel Krize mi?”
  • ORSAM, Görüş, April 8, 2025. https://orsam.org.tr/tr/cezayir-ile-sahel-devletleri-ittifaki-karsi-karsiya-bir-sinir-anlasmazligindan-bolgesel-krize-mi/.
  • Daggash, Habiba A. “Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine on Energy Transition in Africa.” Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Policy Brief (2022).
  • Durand de Sanctis, Julien. “The Royal Atlantic Initiative a Manifestation of African Agency in Regional Integration.” Afrique(s) En Mouvement, no. 9 (2024): 18-31.
  • Echorouk, “Algeria Will Market Nigerian Gas to Europe, Ambassador Mabdul Says.” November 21, 2021. https://www.echoroukonline.com/algeria-will-market-nigerian-gas-to-europe-ambassador-mabdul-says.
  • Egbe, Jerome G., Stephen A. Takim, Mathew I. Ibeh and Onyewudiala J. Ibeawuchi. “Design Approach for Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline Transmission,” International Journal of Engineering Research & Science (IJOER) 2, no. 3 (2016): 143-152.
  • Fabiani, Riccardo. “Is the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline a Viable Project? The Impact of Terrorism Risk.” The Jamestown Foundation: Global Research and Analysis, 2009. https://jamestown.org/program/is-the-trans-sahara-gas-pipeline-a-viable-project-the-impact-of-terrorism-risk/.
  • Florini, Ann, and Benjamin K. Sovacool. “Who Governs Energy? The Challenges Facing Global Energy Governance.” Energy Policy 37, no. 12 (2009): 5239-5248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.07.039.
  • Freeman, Baba. “A View from the Ground Along the Proposed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) Route.” The Payne Institute for Public Policy (2022).
  • George, Alexander, and Andrew Bennett. Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences. MIT Press, 2005.
  • Ghanem, Dalia. “The EU and Algeria: A Temporary Marriage of Convenience?” In The EU and North Africa, edited by Dalia Ghanem. European Union Institute for Security Studies, Chaillot Paper, no. 179, 2023. 4-11.
  • Hanine, Sanae and Brahim Dinar. “The Blue Economy: The Future of the Atlantic African Sea Front Initiative?” Revue Espace Géographique et Société Marocaine 86, (2024): 77-107.
  • Hausmann, Andreas. “Navigating the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project,” ILF Consulting Engineers: World Pipelines, (2025).
  • International Crisis Group. “Algérie-Mali : Désamorcer Une Dangereuse Escalade.” Q&A / Africa, April 18, 2025. https://www.crisisgroup.org/fr/africa/sahel/mali-algeria/algerie-mali-desamorcer-une-dangereuse-escalade.
  • International Crisis Group. The Central Sahel: Scene of New Climate Wars? Crisis Group Africa Briefing, no. 154. April 24, 2020.
  • Islamic Development Bank. “Specific Procurement Notice (SPN) for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project (Nigeria to Senegal Pipeline Section (NGA1038)).” Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.isdb.org/project-procurement/sites/pproc/files/2023-06/SPN%20-%20NMGP%20Surveys%20South%20Zone%20-%20June%202023_Final.pdf.
  • Jeune Afrique. “Maroc-Algérie: Les Projets de Gazoducs avec le Nigeria au Point Mort?” May 9, 2025. https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1687016/economie-entreprises/maroc-algerie-les-projets-de-gazoducs-avec-le-nigeria-au-point-mort/.
  • Keohane, Robert O. & Joseph S. Nye. Power and Interdependence. 4th ed. Longman, 2012.
  • Kozlowski, Nina. “Maroc-Algérie : Le Mirage des Gazoducs.” Jeune Afrique, August 8, 2022. https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1367839/politique/maroc-algerie-le-mirage-des-gazoducs/.
  • L’Express, “Tensions entre la France et l’Algérie : Les Deux Pays Se Rendent Coup pour Coup.” May 5, 2025. https://www.lexpress.fr/monde/afrique/tensions-entre-la-france-et-lalgerie-les-deux-pays-se-rendent-coup-pour-coup-37TPU2O33JDEHP65RPTBROJX3M/?cmp_redirect=true.
  • Laouina, Abdellah. “Note de Recherche-Le Littoral dans Le Développement du Maroc et de Sa Politique Atlantique.” Norois 252, no. 3 (2019): 41-54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/norois.9351.
  • Lyammouri, Rida, and Amine Ghoulidi. “Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative: A Catalyst for Sahel-Saharan Integration.” Policy Center for the New South, Policy Brief 68, no. 24 (2024).
  • Machrouch, Jamal. “Europe’s Strategic Interest in Completing the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline.” Policy Center for the New South, Policy Brief 56, no. 22 (2022).
  • Machrouh, Jamal. “L’Afrique Atlantique: Une Réflexion Autour des Indispensables Leviers d’Action.” Policy Center for the New South, Policy Brief 15, no. 24 (2024).
  • Mackinder, Halford J. “The Geographical Pivot of History.” The Geographical Journal 23, no. 4 (1904): 421-37. https://doi.org/10.2307/1775498.
  • Mearsheimer, John J. The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. W. W. Norton & Company, 2001.
  • Mouline, Mohammed T. “La Dimension Atlantique de la Politique Étrangère du Maroc.” Géoéconomie 79, no. 2 (2016): 111-122.
  • Obi, Cyril I. “Oil Extraction, Dispossession, Resistance, and Conflict in Nigeria’s Oil-Rich Niger Delta.” Canadian Journal of Development Studies / Revue Canadienne d’études Du Développement 30, no. 1-2 (2010): 219-36. doi:10.1080/02255189.2010.9669289.
  • Ogunniyi, Jacob O., Israel A. Saibu and Wilson O. Nze. “Aftermath of Russia-Ukraine War; Linking Africa to Europe: An Exploration of Nigeria and Morocco Gas Pipeline Deal.” Journal of Contemporary Society & Education (JSCE), (2022): 42-70.
  • Profazio, Umberto. “Pipeline Politics: Algeria, Italy and The Great Game in North Africa.” Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques (IRIS), Observatory of the Maghreb, Note (April 2025).
  • Royaume du Maroc Ministère des Affaires Etrangères de la Coopération Africaine et des Marocains Résidant à l'Étranger. “Réunion Ministérielle de Coordination sur l’Initiative Internationale de SM le Roi Mohammed VI Pour Favoriser l’Accès des Pays du Sahel à l’Océan Atlantique: Les points Saillants du Communiqué Final.” December 23, 2023. https://diplomatie.ma/fr/r%C3%A9union-minist%C3%A9rielle-de-coordination-sur-l%E2%80%99initiative-internationale-de-sm-le-roi-mohammed-vi-pour-favoriser-l%E2%80%99acc%C3%A8s-des-pays-du-sahel-%C3%A0-l%E2%80%99oc%C3%A9an-atlantique-les-points-saillants-du-communiqu%C3%A9-final
  • Royaume du Maroc. “SM le Roi Adresse Un Discours à la Nation à l’Occasion du 48ème Anniversaire de la Marche Verte (Texte Intégral).” November 6, 2023. https://www.maroc.ma/fr/discours-messages-royaux/discours-royaux/sm-le-roi-adresse-un-discours-la-nation-loccasion-du-48eme-anniversaire-de-la-marche-verte-texte
  • Shaibume, Benjamin, and A. A. Iornumbe. “BRICS and the Lessons of Geo-strategic Politics for Nigeria.” African Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies (AJPAS) 17, no. 1 (2024): 43-69.
  • Siddi, Marco, and Federica Prandin. “Governing the EU's Energy Crisis: The European Commission's Geopolitical Turn and its Pitfalls.” Politics and Governance 11, no. 4 (2023): 286-296. https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.v11i4.7315
  • Siddi, Marco. European Energy Politics: The Green Transition and EU-Russia Energy Relations. New Horizons in European Politics series, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023.
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خط أنابيب الغاز الأطلسي الإفريقي وخط أنابيب الغاز العابر للصحراء: التنافس الجيوسياسي في شمال إفريقيا وغرب إفريقيا ومثلث الساحل

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 1, 67 - 98, 31.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.47932/ortetut.1745945

Abstract

تُقارن هذه الدراسة بين الآثار السياسية الإقليمية والدولية لمشروعين لخطوط أنابيب الغاز المطروحة حالياً على أجندة الجغرافيا السياسية للطاقة في إفريقيا، وهما: خط أنابيب الغاز الأطلسي الإفريقي (نيجيريا – المغرب – أوروبا) وخط أنابيب الغاز العابر للصحراء (نيجيريا – الجزائر – أوروبا). ولا يتم تناول هذه المشاريع من منظور اقتصادي أو لنقل الطاقة فحسب، بل بوصفها أدوات جيوسياسية. وتطرح الدراسة إشكالية الكيفية التي تُسهم بها هذه المشاريع في تشكيل التنافس الجيوسياسي في غرب إفريقيا والساحل وشمال إفريقيا، إضافةً إلى موقعها ضمن الاستراتيجية الطاقوية-السياسية لنيجيريا، وأهميتها لأمن الطاقة الأوروبي. وتُجرى الدراسة على أساس تحليل نظري وتجريبي وفق محاور التنافس الجيوسياسي، وتوازن القوى الإقليمية، وأمن الطاقة. ويُعتمد في التفسير على نظرية "قلب العالم" لماكيندر، والمقاربة الواقعية الهجومية لمرشايمر في سياق العلاقات الدولية. كما يُستفاد من مقاربة الاعتماد المتبادل المعقّد لكيوهان وناي لتقييم إمكانات مشاريع البنية التحتية للطاقة في خلق بيئة من التعاون أو الصراع. أما في السياق الأوروبي، فيُعتمد نموذج أمن الطاقة وفقاً لرؤى يرغين وفيفودا لتحليل المشاريع في إطار الاتحاد الأوروبي. وتتبنى الدراسة منهجية بحث نوعية تستند إلى تحليل الوثائق، والمقارنة بين الحالات، وتقنيات التحليل الاستراتيجي القائمة على السيناريوهات المدعومة بتحليل SWOT. ويُبنى التحليل على إطار متعدد الأبعاد يركز على التنافس الإقليمي بين المغرب والجزائر، والموقع الاستراتيجي لنيجيريا، وسياسات الاتحاد الأوروبي في مجال الطاقة. ويُنظر إلى المشروعين ليس فقط كبنية تحتية لنقل الطاقة، بل أيضاً كإسقاطات للقوة الجيوسياسية، وأدوات للضغط في سياق التنافس الإقليمي الذي يعيد تشكيل مشهديات شمال إفريقيا والساحل وغرب إفريقيا.

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There are 52 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects African Studies, Regional Studies, International Relations (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Fatih Dağ 0009-0001-2327-1853

Early Pub Date October 31, 2025
Publication Date October 31, 2025
Submission Date July 18, 2025
Acceptance Date September 17, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 17 Issue: 1

Cite

Chicago Dağ, Fatih. “The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline: Geopolitical Competition in North Africa, West Africa, and the Sahel Triangle”. Ortadoğu Etütleri 17, no. 1 (October 2025): 67-98. https://doi.org/10.47932/ortetut.1745945.

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