Organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, at the initiative of the National Federation of Seafood Processing and Valorization Industries (FENIP), the forum is part of the momentum driven by Morocco as an African and international hub for the blue economy. It serves as a platform for convergence, dialogue and cooperation between African, European and international stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
SeaFood4Africa 2026, a leading continental event dedicated to the development of maritime fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing, aims to further consolidate its position as a major fixture on the African blue economy calendar.
Speaking at the opening session, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Omar Hejira stressed that the forum provides a privileged space to strengthen South-South cooperation, forge partnerships between stakeholders and exchange expertise in the fisheries sector, one of the most dynamic components of the national economy. He noted that the sector makes a significant contribution to strengthening Morocco’s industrial and food sovereignty, as well as improving the performance of national exports.
He also pointed out that the current foreign trade program seeks to diversify export destinations beyond traditional markets to include countries in Asia, Latin America and high population growth markets. In this regard, he highlighted the opportunities offered by aquaculture, described as a strategic pillar for diversifying the sector and increasing its added value, paving the way for a more competitive and sustainable future.
In the same context, Hejira underlined that the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region is undergoing major transformations ahead of the entry into operation of the Dakhla Atlantic Port, a large-scale project intended to position the region as a national and African economic hub.
For his part, Secretary General of the Secretariat of State for Maritime Fisheries Brahim Boudinar said the forum provides a favorable framework for establishing fisheries partnerships between Morocco and several African countries. He added that these initiatives fall within the broader dynamic of strengthening South-South cooperation, in line with the High Royal Orientations. The shared nature of marine resources, fishing areas and fish stocks, he noted, requires the establishment of partnerships to ensure rational management and long-term sustainability for future generations.
The President of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Council, El Khattat Yanja, stated that the forum aims to open new prospects for cooperation and development in Africa through the promotion of the fisheries sector’s potential and the establishment of economic partnerships between Moroccan operators and their African counterparts.
Cape Verde’s Minister of the Sea, Jorge Pedro Maurício dos Santos, said his country maintains privileged cooperation relations with Morocco in several fields, including the blue economy, maritime transport, tourism and fisheries. In this respect, he praised the level of technological progress showcased at the event, both in fishing techniques and in methods for preserving and transporting seafood products.
“It is no longer necessary for African countries to seek technological solutions outside the continent, since Africa, through Morocco, now offers advanced solutions adapted to its specificities and needs, both in fishing operations and financing mechanisms,” he said.
Other speakers, including several African government officials, stressed the need to strengthen intra-African cooperation in order to achieve sustainable development of the blue economy. Panelists also considered the SeaFood4Africa Exhibition in Dakhla a major lever for this cooperation, given the opportunities it provides for the exchange of technologies, expertise, public policies and business opportunities.
The 2026 edition of the event is structured around three main pillars: industrial processing and local valorization of fisheries products, the development of a sustainable and resilient blue economy, and the stimulation of investment in Africa’s fisheries sector.
The two-day forum features an international professional exhibition dedicated to seafood products, processing technologies, industrial equipment and innovative solutions for maritime fisheries and aquaculture, alongside conferences, panel discussions, B2B meetings and institutional partnership sessions.
The opening session was attended in particular by the Wali of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region and Governor of the Oued Eddahab province, Ali Khalil, elected officials and a wide range of African fisheries sector stakeholders.
Editorial team/le7tv