Morocco was unanimously elected to chair the 57th session of the ECA Conference of Ministers, which focused on transforming the AfCFTA.
Minister of Industry and Trade Riyad Mezzour reaffirmed Morocco’s
commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at the
57th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
(ECA) in Addis Ababa.
Addressing African finance and development ministers, Mezzour described the AfCFTA as more than a legal framework, calling it a crucial project that could reshape the continent’s economic future.
“The AfCFTA is the challenge of our generation,” Mezzour said.
He urged African countries to take bold steps to ensure the agreement delivers on its promise in a world where economic realities continue to evolve. Since its return to the African Union in 2017, Morocco has positioned itself as a bridge between North and South, between ancestral traditions and new innovations.
Mezzour emphasised the need for Africa to move beyond exporting raw materials and relying on imports.
He called for stronger regional value chains that would enable African industries to compete in the global market.
He highlighted Morocco’s experience, where strategic industrial policies have made the country a key player in the global fertilizer market.
With Morocco supplying more than 20 percent of global fertilizer needs, Africa has the potential to become a leader rather than just a supplier of raw materials, he said.
He also highlighted Morocco’s growing role in automotive manufacturing, citing the Morocco-DRC-Zambia electric mobility project as proof that Africa could carve out a place for itself in the global
electric vehicle industry. On another note, Mezzour emphasized the importance of industrial sovereignty and urged other African countries to use their resources wisely and foster sustainable growth.
He stated that the AfCFTA must be fair and environmentally friendly, noting that Morocco already produces 45 percent of its energy from renewable sources. He added that Morocco was ready to share its expertise in green energy, industrial development, and digital transformation to help other African countries move forward.
He also discussed Africa’s infrastructure deficit, which costs the continent approximately 2 percent of its GDP annually. He proposed the creation of an AfCFTA Infrastructure Fund to finance critical
transport networks, including ports, railways, and roads, which could boost trade within Africa. The minister also said Africa’s economic transformation must include sectors like agriculture, where
climate-smart policies could protect farmers while giving women and young entrepreneurs a greater role in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
MK/ac/fss/as/APA