Moroccan king calls for bold rethink of Africa’s maritime strategy
According to The Arab Weekly and agencies on 11th June, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has called for a sweeping overhaul of Africa’s maritime strategy, urging the continent to embrace the transformative potential of the “blue economy” and deepen Atlantic cooperation to achieve food security, energy independence, and environmental sustainability.
This message was delivered on his behalf by Princess Lalla Hasnaa during the “Africa for the Ocean” summit in Nice, France, where she co-chaired the event alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
In his address, the king laid out an ambitious strategic vision that positions the ocean as a cornerstone of Africa’s future. He emphasised its role in advancing food sovereignty, securing energy supply chains, fostering regional cohesion, and safeguarding environmental heritage for future generations.
“The blue economy is no longer a luxury; it is a strategic necessity,” the king’s message declared, reflecting a paradigm shift in how Africa must approach its maritime resources – not as mere environmental concerns but as essential drivers of sustainable development.
The king’s vision is built on three interdependent pillars: promoting sustainable blue growth, reinforcing South–South cooperation, and aligning Atlantic maritime policies for greater coherence and impact.
Key sectors identified as essential to this agenda include sustainable aquaculture, marine renewable energy, port and logistics infrastructure, marine biotechnology, and responsible coastal tourism. These industries, the message noted, can deliver substantial benefits if they are effectively structured, interconnected, and underpinned by appropriate investment and regulation. These elements are already central to Morocco’s national strategy for inclusive and sustainable development.
Highlighting Morocco’s own progress, the king pointed to large-scale infrastructure projects that are redefining the nation’s maritime landscape – most notably the flagship Tanger Med container port, as well as the upcoming Nador West Med and Dakhla Atlantic ports. These developments are envisioned as anchors for industrial and logistical ecosystems, repositioning Morocco as a leading maritime and trade hub in Africa.
King Mohammed VI also underscored the need for collective African action in maritime governance. “Mere co-ownership of the Atlantic is not enough,” he cautioned. “We must think of this ocean collectively, manage it jointly, and protect it together.” He advocated for a coordinated continental strategy to improve marine value chains, secure trade routes, and claim a fairer share of the ocean’s economic potential.
He further called on African states to fully participate in global efforts to preserve marine biodiversity and genetic resources, while also establishing their own mechanisms for maritime security. The king argued that Africa’s Atlantic façade – despite its enormous potential – remains underutilized as a means to break isolation, enhance mobility, and meet the continent’s future demographic and economic needs.
To that end, he highlighted Morocco’s launch of the Atlantic African States Initiative, which aims to transform the Atlantic region into a platform for strategic dialogue, collective security, mobility, and economic integration. The initiative, he noted, is inclusive of landlocked Sahel nations that rely on dependable access to maritime trade corridors.
He also pointed to the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline as a pivotal project to strengthen regional energy links and unlock new geo-economic opportunities across West Africa.
Throughout his message, King Mohammed framed the ocean as a shared heritage demanding collective stewardship. Africa, he argued, must approach its maritime space not as a series of isolated assets, but as an integrated foundation of a resilient blue economy.
“The ocean reflects our identity, our consumption patterns, our use of resources, and the legacy we leave for future generations,” he said. “It is our collective duty to protect and manage it wisely, making it a space of peace, stability and development.”
He concluded by reaffirming Morocco’s unwavering commitment to this pan-African project, grounded in its 3,500-kilometre coastline and 1.2 million square kilometres of maritime territory. “Africa, whose strength lies in the unity of its voice, is at the heart of this ambitious endeavour,” the king affirmed.
The Arab Weekly/ Agencies/ Maghrebi.org
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