In a compelling analysis published by the Migration Research Institute, Andrea Bianchi, a researcher affiliated with the Mathias Corvinus Collegium in Brussels, paints a clear picture: Morocco is steadily advancing toward regional leadership. A winning combination of territorial assertiveness, industrial modernization, diplomatic outreach, and African integration gives the Kingdom a strategic role of increasing significance.
Western Sahara: Toward Broader International Recognition
On the diplomatic front, Morocco continues to garner support for its sovereignty over the Sahara. Following strong positions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, a shift from Russia and China is now seen as plausible. The reinvigoration of Franco-Moroccan relations since 2024, particularly through Proparco’s involvement in key development projects in the Moroccan Sahara, illustrates this momentum. Morocco’s soft power, exemplified by cultural initiatives like being the guest of honor at the Paris Book Fair, further enhances its renewed influence.
Strategic Industry: Morocco Aims to Become a Global Battery Powerhouse
Yet it is in the industrial sphere where Morocco is drawing the most attention. With ambitions to become a global hub for electric battery production, the country is attracting major interest from top Asian corporations. Chinese company CNGR has announced a two-billion-dollar investment to establish a cathode factory, reinforcing Morocco’s position as a strategic alternative amid Western market restrictions.
With vast phosphate reserves, Morocco is well positioned to surpass countries like Indonesia in producing affordable battery materials. Companies such as LG Chem, Huayou Cobalt, and even Tesla are now looking to Morocco as a critical part of their supply chains. The Kingdom aims to produce the equivalent of one million electric vehicles per year. According to the author, this industrial transformation is supported by direct alignment with the country’s highest authorities.
A Bold and Expanding African Banking Sector
This economic surge is built on a solid financial foundation. Thanks to reforms launched as early as the 1990s, Morocco’s banking sector today includes three of Africa’s ten largest banks. Operating in over 20 African countries, these institutions have capitalized on the post-2008 retreat of European banks to promote an ambitious and pragmatic South-South cooperation model. Morocco is no longer just exporting products. It is exporting financial expertise.
Migration and Stability: A Diplomatic Asset for Europe
As the European Union struggles to shape a coherent policy toward Africa, Morocco is standing out as a pillar of stability in a tense region. Its geographic position, balanced migration policy, and close security cooperation make it a key partner in managing migration flows. At a time when many European embassies are scaling back their presence on the ground, Rabat has become an essential interlocutor for Mediterranean security.
Morocco Moves Forward, Regional Dynamics Shift
In a Maghreb undergoing major changes, Morocco is charting its course with confidence. Bold in its industrial vision, agile in diplomacy, and deeply rooted in its continent, the Kingdom is redefining the Maghreb’s place in the global economy. Far from being just a regional actor, Morocco is becoming a central pillar in the emerging geography of global power.
Editorial team/le7tv