Rabat – Minister of Industry and Commerce Riad Mezzour confirmed the commitment of Morocco for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) at the 57th meeting of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Abeba.
Mezzour dealt with African financial and development ministers and described AFCFTA as more than a legal framework and called it a decisive project that could redesign the economic future of the continent.
“Afcfta is the challenge of our generation,” said Mezzour. He asked the African nations to take brave steps to ensure that the agreement provides its promise in a world that continues to continue in economic realities Evolve.
Since his return to the African Union in 2017, Morocco has positioned itself as a connection between north and south between long traditions and new innovations.
Mezzour found that Africa no longer had to change as an export of raw materials and the support to imported goods. He called for stronger regional value chains that would enable African industries to compete in the global market.
He pointed out the experience of Morocco, where strategic industrial policy made the country an important player in the global fertilizer market. Since Morocco corresponds to over 20% of the world’s fertilizer needs, he said that Africa has the potential to become a leader than a provider of raw materials.
He also pointed out a growing role in automotive production and quoted the Morocco-Coccocco-Zambian electricity mobility project as proof that this is the case Africa Could get a place in the global electric vehicle industry.
In another case, Mezzour emphasized the importance of industrial sovereignty and asked the African landscape countries to use their resources carefully and push for sustainable growth.
He said Afcfta should be fair and environmentally friendly and found that Morocco has already produced 45% of its energy from renewable sources. He added that Morocco is ready to share his know -how for green energy, industrial development and digital transformation in order to help other African nations.
He also spoke about the infrastructure gap in Africa, which costs the continent an estimated 2% of his GDP per year. He suggested the creation of an AFCFTA infrastructure fund to finance essential transport networks such as ports, railways and roads that could increase trading throughout Africa.
The minister also said that Africa’s economic transformation must include sectors such as agriculture, in which climate-related guidelines could protect farmers and at the same time women and young entrepreneurs could give a stronger role in small and medium-sized companies.
“African children earn more than the limits imposed on the history. They deserve a continent without obstacles, united, ambitious and proud, ”said Mezzour in his conclusion comments.
Morocco was elected unanimously to manage the 57th meeting of the UNECA conference of the ministers, which focused on transforming AFCFTA through digitization, technological progress, nutritional security and energy transition.
The North African country will also organize the next meeting in March 2026.
