Aziz Akhannouch: The Morocco-Spain partnership, a strategic catalyst for Africa-Europe relations

“We have before us a unique window of opportunity to transform our partnership into a true accelerator of Africa-Europe relations, in which Spain and Morocco would serve as natural pillars,” Mr. Akhannouch stated in an address at the close of the Spain-Morocco business meeting.

Spain is a European renewable-energy powerhouse and a major industrial platform, while Morocco is both an African hub, an export platform to Europe and a future exporter of green energy, he explained.

Thanks to the strategic vision of HM King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom has, over the past 20 years, strengthened its exchanges with the continent, establishing itself as the leading African investor in Africa. Mr. Akhannouch noted that Morocco can therefore serve as a bridge for Spanish companies in brotherly countries with which it maintains deep political, diplomatic and commercial relations.

Emphasizing the complexity of the current international context, marked by economic, security and climate tensions, Mr. Akhannouch said that Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, has shown resilience by combining targeted support measures, structural reforms and the preservation of macroeconomic balances.

Morocco now offers a clear, predictable and attractive framework for all investors, national and foreign, large groups and SMEs alike, with targeted support mechanisms in high-value-added sectors, he noted.

Mr. Akhannouch also highlighted the measures taken by the government to improve the business climate, citing the tax reform for greater clarity and competitiveness, the optimal mobilization of economic land, the effective implementation of administrative decentralization, the simplification and digitalization of procedures, and the reform of the decree on public procurement and payment deadlines.

Returning to the strategic partnership linking Morocco and Spain, the Prime Minister stressed that beyond economic cycles, the relationship between the two countries is structural, as “it is rooted in the interests of our societies, our companies and our citizens.”

This relationship is carried at the highest level through the vision and constant dialogue between HM King Mohammed VI and HM King Felipe VI, he noted, adding that this continuity gives the partnership its strength and strategic significance.

“Together, we can build integrated energy corridors (electricity and green hydrogen), Atlantic/Mediterranean logistics corridors, and joint co-investments in West Africa, where Spanish and Moroccan companies can rely on the complementarity of their networks, financing and expertise,” he concluded.

Editorial team/le7tv