Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to African Free Trade and Economic Integration at ZLECAf Business Forum
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco has reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting free trade and deepening economic integration across Africa, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch said on Friday at the opening of the second African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAf) Business Forum.
Speaking in Marrakech, Akhannouch said that under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco continues to strengthen the mechanisms necessary to encourage free trade and foster sustainable economic growth throughout the continent. He noted that, guided by the High Royal Directives, the Kingdom is consolidating its position as a key actor and strategic partner in advancing multidimensional cooperation among African countries.
The Head of Government reiterated that Morocco’s vision for Africa is centred on an Africa that controls its own destiny, transforms its natural resources locally, and is better connected from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, and from the Sahel to coastal regions.
He said this vision is embodied in the Atlantic Initiative launched by King Mohammed VI, which seeks to enhance cooperation between Atlantic African states and Sahel countries by providing them access to Morocco’s major port and logistics infrastructure. These facilities currently serve 23 Atlantic African countries as well as their landlocked neighbours.
Akhannouch highlighted several flagship projects aimed at strengthening economic and commercial ties across Africa. Among them is the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline, a 6,000-kilometre project crossing several West African countries. Once completed, the pipeline is expected to deliver reliable and competitive energy supplies and support joint industrial development in sectors such as fertilisers, petrochemicals, construction materials and agro-industry.
He also pointed to Casablanca Finance City as a major driver of regional economic integration, hosting leading financial institutions and facilitating investment across the continent. Moroccan banks, now operating in more than 20 African countries, were also cited for their significant role in reinforcing financial links.
In addition, Akhannouch welcomed the recent decision by Bank Al-Maghrib, Morocco’s central bank, to join the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a move expected to streamline cross-border payments. He said this step positions Morocco to pilot innovative initiatives, including payment systems based on local currencies, as well as tools to secure export credit and support African small and medium-sized enterprises.
Reaffirming Morocco’s commitment to Africa’s future, Akhannouch said the Kingdom, faithful to the vision of King Mohammed VI, will continue to play its full role in ensuring that African economic integration becomes a driver of prosperity, stability and dignity for the continent’s peoples.
He added that the second edition of the ZLECAf Business Forum reflects strong continental momentum to transform the African free trade area from a framework agreement into a genuine project for economic development.
Launched in 2021, the African Continental Free Trade Area is the world’s largest free trade zone in terms of participating countries, aiming to boost intra-African trade, reduce tariffs and create a unified market of more than 1.3 billion people. Morocco has actively supported ZLECAf through national reforms, regional partnerships and major infrastructure investments.
The forum is organised under the leadership of Morocco’s State Secretariat for Foreign Trade, in partnership with ZLECAf, the Moroccan Association of Exporters (ASMEX), the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the Association of Moroccan Regions (ARM).
