Strengthening ties: Morocco and Ivory Coast's multidimensional partnership

The bonds of friendship and strategic collaboration between Morocco and Ivory Coast were prominently highlighted in Abidjan. A recent academic gathering focused on Morocco's African policy and the relations with Ivory Coast, organized by the Africa Chair of a prestigious business school, welcomed notable attendees including Morocco's ambassador to Ivory Coast, Abdelmalek Kettani, and a group of students from Rabat's campus engaged in an immersion program in the Ivorian land, alongside faculty members.

In his presentation, Ambassador Kettani underscored that Morocco and Ivory Coast have been cooperating for over 60 years in a spirit of mutually beneficial economic and political partnership, emphasizing diplomatic, political, economic, social, cultural, technical, and cultural dimensions.

"This ancestral partnership, which dates back to the time of the late King Hassan II and the first Ivorian president, the late Félix Houphouët-Boigny, has been further developed and consolidated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and President Alassane Ouattara, making it a striking example of mutually beneficial South-South cooperation aimed at sustainable development," Kettani stated.

The strategic partnership between the two nations is rooted in a "common," "unique," and "shared" vision of the two heads of state, advocating for the development and well-being of their populations. This partnership encompasses concrete and sustainable projects, strengthened by numerous agreements across various sectors and a collective belief in a common future bolstered by the close collaboration of the elites from both nations. Kettani recalled the multiple visits by King Mohammed VI to Ivory Coast, which resulted in over 130 agreements focused on public and private investments.

The Moroccan diplomat also lauded the ongoing support of Ivory Coast for Morocco within international and continental bodies, highlighting the pivotal role played in the Kingdom's return to the African Union in January 2017, noting that Ivory Coast was among the first friendly nations to open a consulate in Laayoune in February 2020.

He emphasized the continuous consultation between the two countries at all levels, thanks to reinforced ties and a dynamic, sustainable cooperation, citing the recent meeting of the Joint Commission held on January 17 in Laayoune, which concluded with 11 cooperation agreements.

Economically, Kettani noted that following royal visits to Ivory Coast, numerous major Moroccan companies have invested in key sectors of the Ivorian economy since 2011-2013, stating that "Moroccan foreign direct investments (FDI) in Sub-Saharan Africa have seen significant growth in recent years."

He reviewed several high-value socio-economic projects, either completed or underway as part of Moroccan-Ivorian cooperation, including the mega-project for the preservation and enhancement of Cocody Bay and Ebrié Lagoon.

In another realm, Kettani highlighted the strategic partnership uniting the Kingdom and Ivory Coast in security, counter-terrorism efforts, and peacekeeping.

On the religious front, he praised Morocco's tireless efforts to promote a tolerant and moderate Islam, based on the Maliki rite and the Ash'ari creed, noting the deep-rooted spiritual and religious ties between Morocco and its African brethren.

He cited the example of the Mohammed VI Grand Mosque, inaugurated on April 5 in Abidjan, which contributes to the enhancement and promotion of the cult and religious links between the two nations.

Education and training play a significant role in the partnership between the two countries, with Morocco awarding numerous scholarships annually to African students (170 scholarships for Ivory Coast in 2025) to pursue their studies in various disciplines, he concluded.