The agreement signed between Marsa Maroc and Liberia aims to develop the West African country’s port infrastructure and make it a regional port hub.
The National Ports Authority of Liberia and the Moroccan operator Marsa Maroc sealed, on Tuesday, November 12, a strategic partnership aimed at modernizing and expanding the port infrastructure of the West African country.
This agreement marks a key step in cooperation between the two parties and strengthens Marsa Maroc’s presence on the West African market, following its operating contract at the port of Cotonou, Benin.
This partnership is also part of Liberia’s desire to revitalize its port facilities, an essential sector for the country’s economic development.
In recent years, regulatory and institutional reforms have been implemented to improve the efficiency of Liberian ports, some of which suffer from deficiencies.
Like the port of Monrovia which fell to 344th place out of 405 in the world ranking of the most efficient port platforms in 2023, due to its decline in efficiency.
The agreement, which includes concession and exploitation projects, mainly concerns the ports of Monrovia and Buchanan.
It also provides for the development of a new multi-purpose terminal, intended to meet the growing needs of international trade and to relaunch activities in these strategic hubs.
In addition to infrastructure modernization, major institutional reforms are on the agenda, with the creation of a Maritime Ports Regulatory Authority and the decentralization of the management of port platforms.
These measures aim to improve port governance and restore Liberian ports to their central role in the country’s economy.
The critical situation of ports in southeastern Liberia was also a matter of concern. According to the Liberia National Ports Authority, these ports have been completely abandoned over the past six years, with infrastructure in ruins and operational capabilities at an all-time low.
This partnership with Marsa Maroc therefore represents an opportunity for Liberia to recover its port sector and attract new investments, while being part of a broader framework of south-south cooperation, a driver of development in West Africa. .
SL/Sf/te/APA
