Rabat – In a display of pan-Africanism, stretching from the East to the West of the continent, Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita held separate video conferences on May 25 (Africa Day) with his counterparts from Ghana and Ethiopia. 

On their own, the two conversations seem, if not insignificant, then at least not out of the ordinary. Taken together, however, the pair of countries illustrate Morocco’s outwards-facing vision, and its efforts to uplift South-South cooperation and intra-African solidarity. 

On the continental stage, Ghana, the first country in West Africa to establish a permanent internet connection, has built on its achievements to prove itself as a forerunner in many internet-related fields. More importantly, Accra, Ghana’s capital, also acts as the official residence of the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

On the other hand, Ethiopia’s position in Africa is not insignificant either, both historically and today. The Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa is home to the African Union’s (AU) Conference Center and Office Complex, which broadey serves as the union’s headquarters and hosts the biannual AU summits. 

As “Africa’s oldest independent country,” Ethiopia’s moral position on the continent — the country was never colonized, besides a five year stint by Mussollini — gives rise to another shining opportunity for Morocco to prove itself  on Africa’s cultural and diplomatic stages. 

While Ghana can serve as Morocco’s show of strength in economic matters, Ethiopia’s unique position can allow Morocco to showcase its diplomacy.

These variables highlight Morocco’s efforts to establish a pan-African vision, cementing its status as a reliable diplomatic partner and mediator on Africa-related issues. As Western influence slowly begins to wane, Morocco has managed to raise its profile on the continent. 

Ghana-Morocco Ties

Besides the usual topics of discussion in diplomatic meetings of such scale, what particularly stood out from Bourita’s conversation with Ghanian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey was the possible launch of a Morocco-Ghana Economic Council. 

The council would strive to encourage “the private sectors of both countries to explore other investment opportunities and boost public-private partnerships,” while serving as a model for further South-South cooperation, explains a press release from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

The talk between Bourita and his Ghanian counterpart is part of the commitment that the two countries continue to exchange to see their ties boosted.

Cooperation between the two countries is expanded in several fields, including in religious affairs.

Islamic scholars (Ulemas) from Ghana frequently participate in meetings and workshops Morocco hosts as part of its efforts to consolidate and promote interfaith and  tolerant Islamic values.

In 2019, researchers from 32 African countries, including many from Ghana, participated in the third session of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulemas in Fez.

The most recent sign of good bilateral ties between Morocco and Ghana was documented less than a month during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema introduced Ghana’s section in Accra in 2019. The center operates with the goal of boosting communication between scholars from Ghana and their counterparts in Morocco. Such communication aims to establish the common African religious grounds and to boost the values of peace and interfaith dialogue.

The center in Ghana also promots the impacts of the Malikite School of thought in establishing tolerance in the Muslim communities and beyond.

During Ramdan this year, the Ghana branch of the King Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema  donated equipment to the Nima Polyclinic in th Accra,including medicines and food package

As well as helping the Ghanian government provide supplies for less-equipped health facilities, the humanitarian aid is also part of Morocco’s commitment to further strengthen ties with Ghana.

In addition to the religious cooperation to bolster inter-faith dialogue, Morocco assists Ghana in terms of sustainable development.

Recently, Morocco’s OCP launched an initiative that seeks to contribute to food security in Ghana. The company teamed up with the Ghanian Ministry of Agriculture for the re-launch of its “Agri Booster offer”  seeks to boost food production in Ghana.

Data also shows good trade cooperation between the two countries. Trading Economics ‘s 2019 data shows that Ghana imports from Morocco mounted to $64 million.

Meanwhile, Ghana exports to Morocco was $3.86 million in the same year.

Ethiopia-Morocco ties

As for Bourita’s discussions with the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, they served to celebrate notable developments between the two partners. 

Hassen “welcomed the creation of the joint venture between the Ethiopian state and the OCP group;” he also spoke approvingly of the launch of the Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access. The joint project with OCP saw the launch of a fertilizer plant in the Ethiopian Dire Dawa, while the coalition “promotes universal access to reliable, clean and affordable energy,” explains an official press release.

According to the Ethiopian minister, such projects, particularly the joint venture with the OCP group, are a perfect example of an ambitious and mutually beneficial South-South cooperation.

Both sides strive to jointly establish themselves before the various international bodies, calling for “intensified interaction and further harmonization of their positions in relevant multilateral institutions, such as the African Union and the United Nations.”

The two parties also agreed to further “coordinate and support” one another’s candidacies in both regional and international organizations. The official press release cited Morocco’s bid for a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN’s Security Council for 2028-2029 as one such example. Another example is Ethiopia’s candidacy for membership at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

With growing tensions between Morocco and its European partners, especially Germany and Spain in recent weeks, the North African country is increasingly choosing to deepen its South-South cooperation instead. 

Ghana will provide the North African country with the opportunity to put on display its forward-thinking approach to business and innovation, giving Morocco easy recognition in the economic sector. With Ethiopia, Morocco can, on top of its economic ties, vie for a cultural display, playing on its well-established pragmatic approach to diplomacy.