First Dakhla Africa Logistics Forum: Morocco’s Role in African Logistics Connectivity

Organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region in coordination with the Regional Council, this forum is placed under the theme “A Connected, Sustainable and Sovereign Africa”. Its ambition is to position Dakhla as a strategic logistics hub for Afro-Atlantic connectivity.

This inaugural edition focuses on continental integration and sustainability and brings together key public and private stakeholders with the objective of making Dakhla a strategic node linking corridors across the Atlantic, the Sahel and the Euro-Mediterranean area.

Speaking on this occasion, the President of the Regional Council of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, El Khattat Yanja, stressed that the development of the African continent depends on better control of logistics flows. He recalled that intra-African trade does not exceed 15 percent of the continent’s commercial exchanges, a level hindered by insufficient interconnections and high logistics costs.

Mr. Yanja highlighted the momentum underway in Morocco’s Southern Provinces under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, particularly through the Dakhla Atlantic Port project. He affirmed that this future infrastructure will transform the region into an Afro-Atlantic hub, strengthening maritime connectivity while supporting the development of renewable energy and green hydrogen.

For his part, the Special Envoy of the President of Liberia, Kouyateh Sheikh Al Moustapha, stated that logistics is now a key driver for accelerating African economic integration. He noted that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area requires infrastructure capable of facilitating trade, reducing barriers and effectively connecting territories across the continent.

He also praised Morocco’s major structural projects, particularly the Dakhla Atlantic Port, describing it as a future regional platform for Atlantic trade and logistics. He added that such initiatives will strengthen exchanges, support investment and contribute to improved regional integration.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, Mohamed Habate Michane, emphasized the need to modernize logistics procedures across the continent, especially through digitalization and transport system interoperability.

The Vice President of the Moroccan Logistics Association (AMLOG), Sanaa Hassini, underlined that the Royal Vision places the Atlantic Africa region at the heart of a new dynamic of stability and prosperity. She recalled that the restructuring of global value chains reinforces the importance of developing integrated logistics corridors capable of improving connectivity and supporting Africa’s economic sovereignty.

Aligned with the momentum initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this two-day forum aims to position Morocco’s Southern Provinces as a model of integrated development and a strategic bridge linking Morocco with its African environment.

Throughout the first edition, discussions will address trade facilitation, the development of trans-Saharan corridors, access of landlocked countries to the Atlantic, the integration of logistics and port zones with a particular focus on the future Dakhla Atlantic Port, along with digitalization, transport decarbonization and green logistics.

Editorial team/le7tv