Morocco has taken a decisive step towards strengthening regional integration and South-South cooperation with the signing of a new tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at transforming Es-Semara, in southern Morocco, into a major economic and logistical hub for Africa.
Morocco has signed a strategic tripartite agreement to position Es-Semara as a new gateway for African trade and logistics.The deal brings together the African Chamber of Commerce and Services, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco, and the Es-Semara City Council.It aims to enhance regional cooperation, attract investors, and foster South-South partnerships throughout Africa.The move aligns with King Mohammed VI’s broader vision to strengthen Morocco’s southern regions as engines of continental growth.
The MoU, signed on Wednesday between the African Chamber of Commerce and Services (CACS), the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco (CFCIM), and the Es-Semara City Council, seeks to position the Western Sahara city as a strategic gateway connecting Morocco to the Sahel and broader sub-Saharan Africa.The agreement, witnessed by government officials, diplomats, and business leaders, underscores a “shared commitment to strengthening Africa’s economic and cultural appeal through cooperation and innovation.”Under the terms, the three institutions will collaborate on joint initiatives to promote Es-Semara’s territorial marketing, enhance its logistics and investment attractiveness, and develop human capital.
They will also organise B2B forums, investment seminars, and trade missions to stimulate business linkages across the continent.A key feature of the agreement includes the establishment of a CACS branch in Es-Semara focused on African cooperation and South-South partnerships, alongside a CFCIM office to facilitate investor support and SME development.
With the MoU’s implementation, Morocco hopes to elevate Es-Semara’s role as a centre for innovation and African integration. This transformation could redefine the economic geography of the Western Sahara and amplify the continent’s influence in global trade.
