Assahafa.com
Morocco’s investments in Africa reached MAD 5 billion ($542 million) in 2024, accounting for 20% of the country’s total public and private investments abroad, according to figures presented on Tuesday by Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance.
Speaking during an oral questions session at the Chamber of Counselors, the minister said the data reflects the steady expansion of Morocco’s economic footprint across the African continent.
The figures were shared in response to a question from the parliamentary group of the RNI, amid growing focus on South-South cooperation and Morocco’s positioning as a regional investor.
Fettah emphasized that Africa has become a strategic destination for Moroccan capital, both through state-backed initiatives and private-sector expansion.
She underlined that this investment dynamic is closely tied to broader partnership priorities, particularly in food security.
In this context, the minister highlighted the role played by the Groupe OCP, which she described as a central actor in agricultural cooperation with African countries.
According to the minister, OCP has trained 4 million African farmers in the use of fertilizers, an effort aimed at addressing what she called a structural deficit in agricultural inputs across the continent.
Fettah recalled that fertilizer use in Africa remains significantly below global levels. Average consumption on the continent does not exceed 22 kilograms per hectare, compared to a global average ranging between 140 and 146 kilograms per hectare.
She said this gap continues to weigh on agricultural productivity and food security, particularly in countries facing climate stress and demographic pressure.
The minister noted that the impact of OCP’s activities has already translated into measurable growth.
Fertilizer exports linked to the group’s African operations reached 2.8 million tonnes in 2024, a sharp increase from 0.3 million tons in 2013, reflecting more than a decade of expansion in production, distribution, and technical support.
Beyond agriculture, Fettah also pointed to the growing role of Moroccan financial institutions on the continent.
She said Moroccan banks now generate between 15% and 40% of their total turnover from African markets, depending on the institution, illustrating the depth of their integration into local economies.
Source: Morocco word news
