Morocco strengthens its trade with Africa: a volume of 52.7 billion dirhams in 2023

The Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hjira, announced on December 17, 2024, to the House of Advisors, that the volume of trade between Morocco and Africa has considerably increased, from 36 billion dirhams ( MMDH) in 2013 to 52.7 billion dirhams in 2023, an increase of 45%.

Moroccan exports to African markets have doubled, reaching around 32.7 billion dirhams in 2023. These exports are mainly composed of fertilizers, fish, cars, automobile cables and food products. Imports from the African continent, for their part, amounted to 20 billion dirhams, and include products such as coal, dates and plastic materials.

Hjira also revealed that a ministerial study shows that Morocco has additional export capacities of up to 120 billion dirhams, of which 10% (i.e. 12 billion dirhams) could be directed towards Africa, particularly in sectors such as the automobile industry, agri-food and textiles.

To overcome obstacles to commercial expansion in Africa, Hjira stressed the need to develop transport infrastructure, particularly with the upcoming establishment of a maritime route linking Agadir to Dakar. He also mentioned the creation of an online platform to facilitate Moroccan exporters’ access to information on African markets and the products to be exported there.

M.Ba.