Pipeline Transport in Africa

Pipeline transport in Africa. Image credit thevillager.com.na

• Whereas pipeline transport is very highly developed in advanced countries such as Germany and Canada and in oil-producing Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran and Iraq, this mode of transport is very poorly developed despite the advantages.
• In Africa, pipelines are used to transport oil, natural gas, water and sewerage, though for commercial purposes, only the first two commodities are of importance.
• Africa has very limited use of pipeline transport because of the following reasons.
• There are very few industrial areas which use oil and gas products.
• The oil and gas deposits on the continent are few and those being exploit are not fully worked.
• The oil mined is mainly exported rather than being used on the continent.
• Building pipelines is very expensive and many countries in Africa are too poor to do so.
• There is no tradition and technology to use pipelines.
• It is hoped that more pipelines will be installed in Africa as urbanization and industrialization improve and living standards are raised as demand for water, oil and oil products increases.

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page