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The Minister of Industry and Trade, Riyad Mezzour, reaffirmed on Monday, during the 57th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Addis Ababa, Morocco’s unwavering commitment to the African continental free trade zone (AfCFTA).
AfCFTA is more than just a legal framework, it is one of the key pillars of Agenda 2063, promising job opportunities, dignity, and hope to the people of the continent, said Mezzour, who spoke in his capacity as the president of the 57th session of UNECA and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
“AfCFTA is our generation’s challenge,” he noted, calling for bold measures to better implement this agreement in a rapidly evolving global context.
Recalling that since its return to the African Union in 2017, Morocco has acted as a bridge between North and South, between tradition and innovation, and between ambition and action, the minister stressed that Africa must move beyond its role as a raw materials exporter and a consumer goods importer.
In this regard, he urged African countries to develop value chains in sectors where they are most competitive, noting that Morocco’s strategic industrial policies have enabled the Kingdom to position itself as a global hub for fertilizers, producing over 20% of the world’s fertilizer needs.
Morocco has also succeeded in establishing itself as Africa’s leading vehicle production center, he added.
Mezzour also stressed that Africa must benefit from its natural resources by developing sustainable industrialization, enhancing its industrial competitiveness, and ensuring its industrial sovereignty, underscoring the importance of a transition towards renewable energies and technologies.
“AfCFTA must be green, inclusive, and fair,” he said, noting that renewable energies account for 45% of Morocco’s energy mix, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable development.
In this respect, the minister expressed Morocco’s readiness to share its expertise in the field.
In addition, Mezzour underscored that Morocco’s digital strategies have transformed public services and empowered start-ups, calling for these achievements to be expanded across the continent.
Morocco will host the 58th United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in March 2026.
Source: map
