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APA-Rabat (Morocco) Since his enthronement in July 1999, King Mohammed VI has placed Africa at the heart
of its strategic choices, thus reaffirming the African identity of the Kingdom and gradually strengthening its
position on the continent, an African vocation which has certainly taken on a new dimension by being part of
within the framework of a long-term vision.
By Hicham Alaoui
This new dynamic of the Kingdom towards the continent, which took on a most remarkable momentum under the
conduct of King Mohammed VI since his accession to the Throne, is the continuity and consecration of
centuries-old relationships based on ancestral socio-historical and spiritual patterns.
In addition to the ancestral ties that go back a long way in history and that bear witness to a spiritual and
cultural heritage of the Kingdom at the continental level, contemporary history attests to a strong presence of Morocco
on the African scene.
Indeed, as early as 2000, the sovereign decided to cancel the debts of African countries, with a view to alleviating
the burdens that weighed on their budget, to build a common and radiant future of the African continent in order to
better serve African citizens.
After this royal gesture to cancel the debts of African countries, the Sovereign went to the field in
multiplying its visits to several African countries, launching structured and structuring projects in
with these countries, investing in proximity to meet the expectations of Africans and acting
to promote the continent.
It is in this spirit that win-win partnerships have been entered into and comforted by the heritage
cultural, religious and historical linking the Kingdom to its African partners. which paved the way for
economic and trade strategies between Morocco and African countries.
In this sense, Moroccan experience and expertise have been put to use by African countries and
their institutions in order to develop the sectors of economy, trade, agriculture and
new technologies. This approach has been conclusive on Morocco's trade with its
African partners.
These exchanges have taken on an exponential trend, going from 4.6% of all exchanges in the
Morocco at 6.4%, amounting to nearly 3.6 billion euros (38 billion dirhams). Africa is thus
confirmed as the first beneficiary of Morocco's investments in the continent thanks to this
development of win-win partnerships and the royal involvement in favor of the development of the
continent.
This has enabled the Kingdom to establish itself as one of the main investors on the continent thanks to the
dynamism of its banks, which facilitate Moroccan exports to African countries.
In addition, the organization of the Moroccan economy, oriented towards the promotion of south-south cooperation,
thanks to the royal will consolidated the position of Morocco in the continent.
To translate this will on the ground, King Mohammed VI has undertaken tours in several
African countries where he had inquired about several development projects and programs, financed by the
Kingdom.
From Senegal via Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, Benin,
Gambia, Niger, Nigeria, Democratic Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and many more
countries, the royal visits were so many occasions for the signing of conventions and agreements of
cooperation and the launching of social projects for the benefit of the populations, in particular in rural areas and in
remote areas where social services are lacking and humanitarian needs are enormous.
The construction of the Morocco-Niger gas pipeline is part of this approach. This pipeline will connect the
two countries, to strengthen their cooperation in this field and serve the axis of Africa-Europe.
The finance and telecommunications sectors were also explored, despite the strong
international competition, allowing Morocco to contribute its stone to the construction of Africa.
The newspaper adds that these investments on the ground are growing and strengthening, to the delight
African men and women.
Also, King Mohammed VI works personally to promote effective solidarity for a
sustainable human development in Africa, which is one of the priorities of the diplomatic action of the
Kingdom.
2017 remains a pivotal year in Morocco-Africa relations. This is how the beginning of this year
will mark the return of Morocco to its institutional family in the African Union. A return considered the
culmination of Morocco's intense African policy which has reached a new threshold thanks to the commitment
strong and constant voice of King Mohammed VI, who never ceased to cooperate with African countries
one of the major axes of the country's foreign policy.
Morocco's return to the AU opens up new economic markets for the Kingdom, in particular
in agriculture and services. As a reminder, two-thirds of Morocco's foreign investment
are destined for Africa, which has made the Kingdom the second largest African investor in the continent and the
first in West Africa, knowing that more than 1,000 Moroccan companies are established in
Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, in sectors as vital as agriculture,
banking and finance, telecommunications, real estate, pharmaceutical industry and production
fertilizer.
Decidedly, Morocco's historic decision to return to the African Areopagus is an act that has
opened a new exciting page for the Kingdom in its relations with Africa.
The presence of Morocco within the structures of the AU, in addition to its economic, financial and religious presence
and its remarkable policy on immigration, is likely to allow it to imprint a new dynamic
within the Continental Organization and to influence the balance of power in favor of strengthening the
security, stability and progress of the continent.
It is certain that the political, economic, cultural and security future of Morocco remains closely linked to the
African continent, an expression of strategic depth.
Let it be said, Africa is undeniably Morocco's natural growth driver. Beyond being a
win-win/South-South partnership, the Moroccan model in Africa follows the contours of a real framework
of co-development.
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