The Moroccan capital hosted the second plenary session of the 13th Atlantic Dialogues, a flagship event organised by the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS). Under the theme “Morocco’s Royal Atlantic Initiative: Africa at the service of Atlantic cooperation,” the session highlighted the Kingdom’s strategic ambitions to strengthen transatlantic relations while placing Africa at the centre of this dynamic.
Amina Benkhadra, Director General of the National Hydrocarbons and Mining Office (ONHYM), presented the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline as a central pillar of the Royal Initiative. This structuring project, driven by the vision of King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, aims to connect 13 coastal and 3 landlocked countries in West Africa to a strategic energy infrastructure.
With an estimated budget of $25 billion, the pipeline will improve access to energy in a region where the electrification rate remains below 40%. This project will transform the economic and social dynamics of West Africa. It will help create jobs, support strategic sectors such as mining and strengthen regional stability in the face of the challenges posed by illegal immigration,’ Benkhadra said.
In addition, the pipeline represents a major opportunity for the European Union to diversify its sources of energy supply, thereby consolidating the economic and energy links between Africa and Europe.
Infrastructure for regional connectivity
The Royal Initiative is not limited to energy. It also includes structural projects to strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration. One of the flagship initiatives is the construction of the port of Dakhla as a gateway to sub-Saharan African markets. Other strategic sectors such as green hydrogen, agriculture, fisheries and tourism will also benefit from targeted investments.
In his speech, Youssef Amrani, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, highlighted the principles of equality and shared responsibility that guide this initiative. “Morocco seeks to integrate harmoniously into existing African frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), while cooperating with international initiatives such as the European Global Gateway and US maritime security programmes,” he added.
The ultimate goal remains the transformation of Africa’s economies to meet the aspirations of its young people and bring lasting stability to the region.
Strengthening transatlantic cooperation
As part of this dynamic, Nuno Antonio de Noronha Bragança, coordinator of the Atlantic Centre, recalled the common challenges facing the countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean. These include maritime safety, the fight against climate change and digital resilience. The Atlantic Centre, which brings together 24 countries from the four Atlantic continents, is a unique platform to address these common challenges. “The inclusion of Latin American partners such as Brazil and Uruguay demonstrates the growing desire to strengthen transatlantic ties,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of synergies between different regional initiatives, such as the African Atlantic States Process, and strategic partnerships with European countries such as Portugal, Spain and France.
The plenary debates reached a unanimous conclusion: Morocco’s Royal Atlantic Initiative represents a unique opportunity to transform the Atlantic into an area of shared cooperation and prosperity. By focusing on modern infrastructure, enhanced connectivity and renewable energy, the initiative aims to respond to the region’s major challenges while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
Supported by Morocco’s long-term vision, this strategy is a catalyst for strengthening relations between Africa, Europe, North America and South America, redefining the role of the Atlantic Ocean in the global geopolitical and economic landscape.
MN/ac/te/lb/as/APA