International Atomic Energy Agency Explores Cooperation with Morocco

Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, met the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, in Rabat on Wednesday to discuss future avenues of cooperation.

The visit is the first to Africa for Grossi, who was elected to the position in 2019.

Grossi said he and Bourita discussed potential joint efforts between Morocco and the international agency to advance within the fields of health, medecine, food security, and more.

He added that Bourita demonstrated “a clear support that the Kingdom of Morocco provides for the task of the IAEA which plays a vital role in preserving peace and international security in the field of non-proliferation and nuclear arms control.”

Grossi’s visit included meetings with other ministers, such as the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, as well as a visit to the National Center for Nuclear Energy and other national research institutions.

Over the past few years, Morocco has been considering the construction of a nuclear reactor plant to facilitate its transition to clean energy and improve its energy sovereignty.

Previous reports indicate that the country’s parliament is set to examine the feasibility of the project over the course of this year before deciding whether or not to proceed.

Despite significant investments in solar and wind energy, as well as ambitions to cover more than 50% of the country’s energy needs with renewables by 2030, Morocco remains dependent on foreign energy imports.

Nuclear reactors have proven to be the most powerful source of energy, with their capacity factor -which measures energy input- standing at 92.5%, compared to 56.6% for natural gas.

Grossi’s decision to visit Morocco first before continuing onto other African countries signifies Morocco’s leading position and its ability to meet its energy needs.

As fuel and energy prices continue to soar due to various geopolitical factors, it has become apparent that achieving energy independence is vital to Morocco’s development in Africa.

In this regard, Morocco is involved in various projects to fulfill its energy goals and even become a net exporter. The Xlinks cable project, for instance, proves the export potential for renewable energies and its ability to help Africa meet its needs.

In a recent message to investors, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI also pointed to projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline as examples of the Kingdom’s efforts to help the continent achieve independence.

Beyond its energy generating needs, nuclear technology has diagnostic and treatment uses in medicine and can be employed within the agricultural industry.

While it is overwhelmingly safe and effective, nuclear energy does require proper management, the lack of which can lead to significant environmental harm.

The technologies will also need to garner public support, as many still view them as dangerous tools used for primarily militaristic purposes.