A high-level institutional delegation from the Canary Islands concluded a landmark mission to Agadir this week, signing ten cooperation agreements with Morocco’s Souss-Massa region.
The partnership establishes a structured public-private framework designed to transform the two Atlantic territories into a unified economic and academic hub. Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo emphasized that these agreements solidify Morocco’s role as a central pillar in the archipelago’s regional strategy, fostering new flows of investment, innovation, and trade.
The collaboration is heavily anchored in scientific and academic exchange, with six of the ten agreements linking the Universities of La Laguna and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with Ibn Zohr University. These partnerships will focus on strategic sectors such as water management, renewable energy, and digital transformation, aiming to create an “Atlantic scientific hub” that promotes researcher mobility and shared technological resources. On the economic front, direct meetings between Moroccan and Spanish firms identified immediate opportunities in maritime connectivity and trade, positioning Souss-Massa as a primary gateway linking Europe to West Africa.
Tourism and sports also took center stage, particularly as both nations prepare for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. During a visit to Agadir’s Adrar Stadium, President Clavijo highlighted the potential for technical exchange and shared infrastructure strategies ahead of the global tournament. This diplomatic push aligns with the upcoming “Canary Islands-Africa Strategy,” reinforcing the Souss-Massa region’s status as a premier Atlantic partner and a vital platform for mutual development across the mid-Atlantic.
MK/AK/fss/abj/APA