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At the end of June, Moroccan customs announced that it would cancel the application for certificates of origin for products exported to member countries of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAF). The measure is aimed at promoting trade with the African continent and is part of the strategy of Mohammed VI, who celebrates the 25th anniversary of his reign this month.
The dematerialization of certificates of origin is part of a series of reforms aimed at strengthening Morocco’s position in Africa. By promoting trade, Morocco seeks to improve its continental economic integration and thus consolidate its role as a regional leader. The effectiveness of this strategy is demonstrated by the explosive growth of Morocco’s intra-African trade since 1999, from AED 3.25 billion to AED 32.66 billion in 2023.
Morocco’s ties with sub-Saharan Africa date back to the founding of the Kingdom by Idriss I in the eighth century. These ties were strengthened during the reign of Mohammed VI and cover areas ranging from economic integration to development assistance and support for conflict resolution. Morocco’s foreign direct investment in Africa increased from $100 million in 2014 to more than $800 million in 2021, establishing Morocco as the second largest investor in Africa.
Morocco plans to further strengthen its economic and diplomatic relations with other countries on the African continent. Projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, which will pass through 11 African countries, reflect this ambition. In addition, the African Atlantic Initiative aims to provide landlocked countries in the Sahel region with access to the sea, which can greatly transform the economies of these countries.
Moroccan companies have played a key role in Morocco’s economic expansion in Africa. Banks such as Attijariwafa Bank and BMCE have expanded their operations across the continent, while Maroc Telecom and OCP have also strengthened their footprints. This dynamism has made Morocco a major player in key sectors such as telecommunications, mining, and financial services.
Mohammed VI has also used diplomacy to strengthen relations with African countries, making Morocco a key player in the region. The Kingdom is now one of the most influential countries in Africa, with notable success in gaining recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara. Morocco’s return to the African Union in 2017 and numerous official visits to the continent demonstrate the King’s personal commitment to this strategy.
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