LA VÉRITÉ

Beijing recently hosted a pivotal week, marking a significant acceleration in the strategic partnership between China and Morocco. Driven by a shared ambition for reindustrialization, Karim Zidane, the Minister Delegate for Investment, alongside Abdelkader El Ansari, Morocco’s Ambassador to China, actively engaged with leading Chinese enterprises during the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE).

The message conveyed was unambiguous, well-coordinated, and highly ambitious: Morocco aims to establish itself as the indispensable industrial gateway linking Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic region. With Morocco experiencing unprecedented investment momentum, evidenced by 381 approved projects totaling 580 billion dirhams, and a surge in Chinese financial inflows—reaching 2 billion dirhams in foreign direct investment by 2025—Ambassador Abdelkader El Ansari affirmed this Tuesday that the Kingdom is prepared for an advanced stage of collaboration. Addressing economic stakeholders, he underscored that the partnership forged in 2016 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and President Xi Jinping represents not merely an expression of intent, but a tangible catalyst for economic advancement.

Morocco’s compelling proposition now extends beyond competitive labor costs or fiscal incentives, offering a comprehensive value package. The Kingdom presents an integrated ecosystem featuring unparalleled connectivity, supported by world-class infrastructure such as Tanger Med and the ports of Nador and Dakhla, positioning Morocco as an optimal logistical hub. This is complemented by preferential access to international markets through over 56 free trade agreements and a pivotal role within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enabling Chinese companies to surmount customs barriers and reach over a billion consumers. This robust foundation is further strengthened by well-established sectoral expertise in automotive, aeronautics, electric mobility, and renewable energies, areas where Sino-Moroccan synergy is increasingly recognized as an industrial imperative.

Within this dynamic framework, Minister Karim Zidane highlighted the concept of a “triangular partnership.” He emphasized that Morocco is more than just an export destination; it stands as a crucial partner for the industrialization of Africa. The strategy is clear: China contributes technology and capital, while Morocco offers its expertise, political stability, and continental influence to foster sustainable industrial development across Africa. This vision aligns perfectly with preparations for the 2030 World Cup, where significant infrastructure and sustainable mobility projects present unprecedented opportunities for Chinese corporations.

For Abdelkader El Ansari, the immediate challenge lies in transforming this growing confidence, already evident through the presence of over a hundred Chinese businesses in Morocco, into a deep and enduring industrial presence. In Beijing, Morocco is doing more than just showcasing its advantages; it is laying the groundwork for a future where “Made in Morocco” becomes a natural extension of global value chains, reaffirming the Kingdom’s indispensable role as a strategic connector in a reconfiguring world.