Saudi delegation launches strategic investment tour in North Africa

A high-level Saudi delegation comprising over thirty investors and economic officials began an official tour of North Africa on June 29, focusing primarily on Morocco and Mauritania. Organized by the Saudi Chambers of Commerce Federation, the mission aims to strengthen bilateral economic ties and explore new investment opportunities across the region.

Trade between Saudi Arabia and Morocco now reaches nearly five billion Saudi riyals (approximately 1.3 billion USD). However, the trade balance remains uneven, with Moroccan imports accounting for only 13% of this figure, highlighting significant untapped potential between the two nations.

During their visit, delegation members held several meetings to identify promising sectors for enhanced cooperation, including infrastructure, industrial technologies, agribusiness, and natural resources. This effort builds on a cooperation agreement signed in 2024 between the Saudi and Moroccan chambers of commerce, which facilitates regular information exchange, coordinated trade missions, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

In Nouakchott, the delegation will also participate in a joint business forum with Mauritania, where bilateral trade remains modest at around 119 million Saudi riyals (32.1 million USD). Saudi exports dominate with 99%, mainly consisting of metallurgical, mechanical, and animal-derived products. Mauritanian imports primarily include seafood, raw fabrics, and tea.

This tour is part of the broader strategy of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce Federation, which has conducted missions to seventeen countries this year alone. It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on hydrocarbons, and develop international economic partnerships, particularly in Africa.

Once overlooked by Gulf economic actors, Africa is now seen as a crucial region for expansion. The Saudi presence in Morocco and Mauritania, two strategic North African countries, could mark the beginning of a wider trade network, offering sustainable economic opportunities for both sides of the Mediterranean.