In a key speech, Najib Somoue, President of the Mediterranean Development Center (MEDEV), highlighted Morocco’s ambitious vision, led by His Majesty the King, aiming to make infrastructure a strategic lever for development.
“Aware that robust infrastructure is the backbone of any prosperous economy, the Kingdom has launched large-scale projects aimed at enhancing connectivity, promoting regional integration, and positioning Morocco as a hub between Africa, Europe, and the Americas,” he said proudly.
Noting that Morocco has also embarked on an ambitious transformation of its infrastructure landscape, the analyst emphasized that at the heart of this program lies the ambitious Atlantic-African Initiative—a strategic framework designed to provide landlocked Sahel countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean, thereby facilitating trade, stimulating economic development, and strengthening regional ties.
“By offering these countries access to Morocco’s road, port, and rail infrastructure, this grand initiative truly embodies a spirit of cooperation and shared prosperity,” he added, noting that it serves as a successful model of regional integration, widely appreciated and praised by both continental and international partners.
Addressing the joint preparations for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will organize in partnership with Spain and Portugal, Mr. Somoue stated that the event will undoubtedly be a historic opportunity to strengthen Africa’s capacities in transport, logistics, and digital communications. In this context, he highlighted the ongoing megaprojects such as:
•The extension of the high-speed rail network (TGV),
•The doubling of national airport capacity,
•And the construction of the world’s largest football stadium, the Grand Stade Hassan II, near Casablanca.
In his presentation, the president of the Mediterranean Development Center also emphasized Morocco’s shift toward sustainable infrastructure, by:
•Raising the share of renewable energy in electricity production to more than 52% by 2030,
•And launching the “Morocco Digital 2030” program, aiming to digitize public services and strengthen the digital economy.
In conclusion, the speaker called for greater African cooperation in the field of infrastructure, stressing that the continent’s success in this area requires:
•Political will,
•Mobilization of resources,
•And exchange of expertise,
in order to achieve comprehensive, balanced, and sustainable development.
The International Infrastructure Summit in Africa is an exclusive annual event where:
•Private sector decision-makers,
•Multinational leaders,
•International investors,
•Representatives of African governments,
•And various institutions
gather to address the challenges facing the infrastructure sector in Africa.
Launched under the theme “Infrastructure: A Catalyst for Regional Integration and Global Engagement,” the event underscores the collective commitment to leveraging infrastructure development as a means of promoting unity, economic growth, and sustainable progress across the continent.