Rabat – Morocco’s massive infrastructure projects in its southern regions are slowly transforming Dakhla into an investment hub for business makers looking to bolster their operations on the African continent while maintaining a foothold in European markets, according to a recent report by consulting firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).
With Dakhla’s Atlantic Port megaproject due to enter into service in 2028, many investors worldwide are marking the date on their business calendar to expand their operations in Sub-Saharan African countries.
The port reflects Morocco’s future vision to diversify business activities in the region.
The technologically-advanced port is projected to see high traffic of 2.2 million tonnes of traded goods in its first year of entering service, establishing a sea bridge between Africa and Europe.
As of 2020, Dakhla was heavily reliant on fisheries and agriculture, with fisheries alone accounting for 27% of the region’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP), according to Oxford Business Group.
However, despite its relatively small population, making only 0.5% of the 37 million, Dakhla’s GDP ratio to the whole country stood at 1.3 in 2019.
With two-thirds of the population under the age of 15, the young demographic adds to the region’s appeal as a go-to investment destination.
Despite witnessing major infrastructure projects and being part of the world’s largest Free Trade Zone, Dakhla remains among the top 10 most underrated destinations, according to OBG.
In an effort to promote the city as a tourism destination, Morocco launched in 2020 a public bid for the development of the Marina Complex, a leisure complex along the city’s coastal line.
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