This event, held under the banner of South-South cooperation dear to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, aims above all to secure commitments from technical and financial partners to accompany the Central African Republic’s recovery and structural reforms.
In his opening address, President Touadéra justified the choice of Morocco as co-organizer by citing the “excellence of historical relations” and King Mohammed VI’s determination to promote African prosperity. By selecting Casablanca, Bangui seeks to rely on a partner that has successfully combined political stability and economic modernization over the past two decades. The message to investors is clear: the CAR wants to draw inspiration from resilient African models to break free from chronic dependence on external aid.
The Central African head of state highlighted his country’s considerable assets: mineral wealth (gold, lithium, cobalt, uranium, iron), hydroelectric potential estimated at 2,000 MW, three million hectares of arable land, and biodiversity of strategic value for global climate policies. With nearly half of its population under the age of 15, the CAR benefits from a “demographic dividend” that, if properly managed, could become a major growth driver. But the challenge remains the creation of infrastructure, jobs, and public services capable of channeling this energy.
IMF representative Samba Mbaye delivered a frank assessment, pointing out the CAR’s budgetary fragility, marked by extreme reliance on external financing and costly domestic borrowing. This unsustainable structure limits room for investment in essential public services. “Strengthening aid in the form of grants and concessional loans remains the condition to avoid higher social costs,” he warned, urging international partners to sustain their long-term commitment.
Morocco’s commitment at the opening session
At the inaugural session, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, warmly welcomed participants. She underlined that hosting this event in Casablanca, a city both historic and modern, perfectly illustrates Morocco’s dynamism and African anchoring.
Minister Alaoui reaffirmed that, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco tirelessly works for a stable, prosperous Africa that is master of its destiny. She emphasized that the Kingdom will spare no effort in supporting the Central African Republic in carrying out its development ambitions.
A tribute to the CAR’s progress
The Minister praised the significant progress achieved by the Central African Republic in recent years: consolidating political stability, implementing bold economic reforms, and defining a clear vision for the future through the PND-RCA. She urged technical and financial partners – states, international institutions, and regional organizations – to turn their commitments into concrete action in order to strengthen the implementation of this strategic plan and secure a better future for the Central African people.
Moroccan experience serving Africa
Minister Alaoui also highlighted Morocco’s expertise in development and infrastructure, stressing that the Kingdom is ready to share its know-how with Bangui by stimulating public and private investment, while also strengthening human capacities through education and training. She noted that more than 1,000 scholarships have already been granted to Central African students, demonstrating Morocco’s tangible solidarity. She reiterated the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Central African Republic, calling on the international community to unite efforts to ensure the success of the PND-RCA 2024–2028.
This gathering, a clear illustration of South-South cooperation, marks an essential step in the implementation of the Central African plan and reaffirms Morocco’s role as a key player in African solidarity.
Editorial team/le7tv