Some pipe dreams can come true after all.

When Morocco in 2016 came up with the idea of a 4,300-mile (6,900-kilometer) conduit to transfer natural gas from West Africa to the Mediterranean, few thought it feasible.

In the decade since, however, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline has become a real proposition. A dozen countries have signed on, while energy discoveries in the waters off Senegal and Mauritania have added impetus.

The estimated $25 billion project took another step forward this month.

A Moroccan state-controlled firm said it’ll begin looking at raising some of the funds. Other nations are expected to join a pact later this year to establish a company that would structure financing and development.

ONHYM of Morocco Plans to Start Raising Pipeline Funding

Gas pipeline from Nigeria to Morocco seen costing $25 billion

With the Iran war in its third month and Europe seeking alternative energy supplies from outside the Middle East, the pipeline looks like a concept whose time has come.

Comprising several segments both offshore and onshore, it will link gas deposits in Nigeria, Senegal and Mauritania with 10 African nations. From Morocco it will connect to the existing Gas Maghreb Europe pipeline to Spain.

The plan envisages combined total capacity of 30 billion cubic meters, although Nigeria’s gas deposits will need massive investment to reach that level. For now, the piece from Senegal onward may be the most immediately doable. The Moroccan firm ONHYM says the first gas from there could arrive in 2031.

It may not be all plain sailing.

Morocco is mired in a long-running feud with Algeria, which proposes a rival pipeline across the Sahara. Mauritania, key to the Moroccan project, will need to avoid angering either of its powerful neighbors.

Also, a recent footballing dispute has strained ties between Morocco and Senegal and Dakar has yet to show it’s as enthused by the plan as Rabat.

But at least the region is waking up to the possibilities.