Strategic Morocco-Mauritania highway nears completion with 95% progress

A major transportation infrastructure project connecting Es-Semara to the Mauritanian border has reached over 95% completion, marking a significant milestone in regional connectivity. The 93-kilometer highway project, comprising routes RN17 and RN17B and passing through Amgala and Tifariti communes, represents an investment of 49.72 million dirhams.

The project consists of four segments, with the final section currently approaching completion. This fourth segment, which includes the construction of the road foundation for National Route 17, spans 53 kilometers and accounts for 28.23 million dirhams of the total investment. Work on this section has achieved 88% completion.

The previous three segments, covering 40 kilometers, were completed on schedule between 2017 and 2023, with respective investments of 7 million, 9.54 million, and 4.92 million dirhams. Final touches, including horizontal and vertical signage, are being implemented across all segments.

This strategic infrastructure project aims to strengthen transportation links between Morocco and Mauritania, potentially facilitating the opening of a second border crossing. According to Fatima Sayeda, president of the Amgala commune, the highway aligns with King Mohammed VI's Atlantic Initiative, designed to enhance regional integration by improving Sahel countries' access to the Atlantic Ocean.

The project extends beyond transportation infrastructure, promising significant socio-economic benefits for the region. It is expected to stimulate economic activities, create employment opportunities, and support population stability in the Amgala and Tifariti communes. Furthermore, the highway will serve as a crucial logistical connection between Morocco, Mauritania, and other African nations, fostering continental economic development.

Complementing the highway project, local authorities have announced plans for a new bus station in Es-Semara. The 3,600-square-meter facility, budgeted at 900,000 dirhams, will enhance passenger services and optimize travel management. Additionally, a new first-class taxi service connecting Es-Semara and Amgala via Lagaida has been launched to improve local mobility.

This infrastructure development represents a significant step toward strengthening South-South cooperation and regional economic growth, establishing a vital transportation corridor between Morocco, Mauritania, and broader African markets.