Morocco Reaffirms Role as ASEAN-Africa Bridge in Connectivity

Morocco reaffirms its role as a bridge between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Africa in the area of connectivity, said Morocco’s ambassador to ASEAN, Redouane Houssaini, who is representing Morocco at the meeting with member States of this regional grouping and external dialogue partners, held August 24-26 in Manila, Philippines.

In his speech at the meeting, which focused on the strategic issue of connectivity, Houssaini showcased Morocco’s vision on the matter, emphasizing that connectivity must not be limited to physical infrastructure but should also encompass digital networks, financial flows, energy corridors, and human connectivity.

Connectivity, he noted, must effectively link production centers to markets, capital to opportunities, energy to demand, and people to knowledge.

He highlighted Morocco’s efforts in the area of connectivity, citing in the Tanger Med port complex—connected to more than 180 ports in 70 countries, including about 40 in Africa—as well as Dakhla Atlantique, the Royal Initiative aimed at facilitating access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel countries, and the Nigeria-Morocco Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline—all projects that contribute to strengthening the continent’s economic and energy connections.

Addressing the aspect of human connectivity, Houssaini spoke of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), which serves as a major instrument of the Kingdom’s South-South cooperation, particularly through training programs, scholarships, vocational training, and capacity-building initiatives, thereby contributing to skills development and closer ties between Morocco and its partners in both Africa and Southeast Asia.

Regarding prospects with ASEAN, Houssaini emphasized that Morocco can serve as a production and logistics hub close to Europe and a gateway to African value chains.

Morocco is prepared to work with this regional grouping to translate this vision into concrete cooperation initiatives, said His Majesty the King’s ambassador, adding that the next meeting of the Morocco-ASEAN Sectoral Cooperation Committee, scheduled for this coming fall at the Association’s headquarters in Jakarta, will provide an opportunity to examine concrete projects in the field of connectivity.

ASEAN, whose chairmanship is held by the Philippines in 2026 and will be assumed by Singapore in 2027, is a regional organization comprising 11 countries and is today one of the epicenters of global economic growth.

Morocco was granted the status of ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 2023, and intends to further push this partnership towards new avenues for cooperation with Southeast Asia, in accordance with the Royal Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.