(16 May 2017) LEADIN:
Morocco and Nigeria have agreed to conduct a feasibility study into a new oil and gas pipeline.
The project aims bring Nigerian oil and gas towards European markets.
STORYLINE:
King Mohammed VI greets members of a Nigerian delegation at the Royal Palace in Rabat.
The two nations have good reason to be cordial - plans are underway for an oil and gas pipeline that would link their economies.
The pipeline ambition was first announced during the Moroccan king's visit to Nigeria late last year.
Nasser Bourita, the Moroccan Foreign Minister, says it has "major historical significance" and will help make Africa "master of its own destiny".
And this is more than just a pipedream - officials from both countries sign an agreement to conduct a joint feasibility study on its construction.
It is scheduled to report back within two years on the mega-project's cost and its timeline.
"It is going to promote greater inter-African cooperation, it's going to create jobs in those countries and of course it's going to create a very lucrative market into Europe," says Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigerian Foreign Minister.
The study will be jointly funded and teams in Nigeria and Morocco will consult with other nations along the proposed route.
"We have to discuss with all the countries because it's not just Morocco and Nigeria, it is going to pass through a number of other countries," explains Onyeama.
Morocco is also stepping up agricultural links with Nigeria and an agreement has been signed for Nigerian farmers to use for fertilisers containing Moroccan phosphates.
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