The French Development Agency (AFD) recently announced its intention to invest in the Western Sahara region, marking an important step in the dynamic of economic cooperation between France and Morocco.
This commitment strengthens a strategic partnership that extends to many sectors and illustrates Morocco’s central role as an economic relay to sub-Saharan Africa.
AFD, a French public development institution, currently supports more than 4,000 projects in 115 countries, promoting the improvement of living conditions, economic growth and the preservation of natural resources in diverse regions such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
AFD CEO Rémy Rioux recently announced a visit to Laayoune and Dakhla, two strategic cities in Western Sahara, where he plans to meet with local communities to strengthen trade and appreciate the region’s needs. This approach is part of the “all of Africa” approach promoted by AFD and supported by Morocco, aimed at strengthening economic ties
between the African continent and the world.
“Morocco is a real bridge between Europe and Africa,” Rémy Rioux said in an interview with the Moroccan news agency MAP. He stressed that the extension of AFD’s activities in Western Sahara demonstrates its desire to consolidate Morocco’s position as a major regional player in Africa, particularly in the economic and environmental
fields.
Over the past three decades, AFD has invested more than €7 billion in Morocco, making it one of its most important global partners. This cooperation extends to various areas, including sustainable agriculture, the blue economy and port cooperation along the Atlantic coast. Among the flagship initiatives is the Agrifinance platform, launched with the Moroccan group OCP, aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains across Africa.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to Morocco helped consolidate these ties, with the signing of six partnership agreements, totaling more than €900 million in co-investments for the next five years. These funds are intended to support regions such as Casablanca-Settat and Guelmim-Oued Noun, with a particular focus on
sustainable development and natural resource management.
As part of this strengthened collaboration, AFD also announced its support for Morocco’s national water strategy, aimed at reducing water stress and promoting sustainable management of forest resources in sensitive areas such as the Toubkal massif.
Socio-economic inclusion, particularly for women and young people, remains a priority for AFD, which mobilises resources to support social reforms and promote equal opportunities in Morocco.
In parallel, the joint initiative “Morocco-France Investment Accelerator”, bringing together AFD Group entities, including Proparco and Expertise France, as well as the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, aims to stimulate economic recovery through private investment, entrepreneurship and the development of green technologies, such as green hydrogen and sustainable mobility.
RT/Sf/te/fss/as/APA