Morocco’s Growing Role in the Belt and Road Initiative

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Morocco, underscoring the North African country's pivotal role in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This follows a brief but significant visit by President Xi to Casablanca, where he met with Morocco’s Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. Their discussions highlighted the mutual desire to deepen cooperation at all levels.

In an interview with China Daily, Morocco's Ambassador to China, Abdelkader El Ansari, emphasized the country’s strategic position as a cornerstone in the successful implementation of the BRI across the region. El Ansari expressed confidence in Morocco’s potential, noting the country’s key position within both Africa and Europe, making it a crucial partner for China’s ambitious global infrastructure network.

Launched in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is a transformative infrastructure strategy that seeks to link Asia, Africa, and Europe through an extensive network of land and maritime routes. Morocco, as the first country in North Africa to officially commit to the BRI, signed the implementation plan in January 2022. This move aligns closely with Morocco’s own New Development Model, which seeks to bolster trade, investment, and economic growth.

Ambassador El Ansari highlighted Morocco’s unique advantages, which include a stable political environment, robust trade agreements, and strategic geographic positioning, all of which make it an ideal partner in the development of the BRI. Morocco’s cooperation with China is expected to generate new avenues for growth, particularly in sectors like infrastructure, renewable energy, and trade.

Bilateral trade between Morocco and China reached $4.76 billion in 2020, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. With the growth of trade and investment, both countries are optimistic about further enhancing their economic ties. China’s plans to invest in over 150 countries worldwide through the BRI have positioned Morocco as a key player in the initiative, further solidifying its role as a bridge between Africa and Europe.

The announcement comes shortly after President Xi’s visit to Morocco, which Chinese Ambassador to Morocco Li Changlin described as ushering in “a new dynamic” for the relationship. As both nations work together to implement the BRI, their strengthened ties are poised to shape the future of economic cooperation in the region.

Morocco’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative signals a broader vision for development, and the country’s continued engagement with China is expected to serve as a catalyst for further progress across Africa and beyond.