Marrakech – Speaking at the opening ceremony for the U.S.-Africa Business Summit on Wednesday, Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stressed the African continent’s need to invest in the private sector.
“We have to promote the private sector in order to strengthen small and medium enterprises,” Bourita said, adding that African countries need to implement economic reforms that are conducive to business.
“We need to take a keen interest in small businesses,” he added.
The top Moroccan diplomat also reiterated that Africa possesses a wealth of resources which can help it carve out a space for itself on the world stage.
“It is high time for Africa to take advantage of its natural resources and skilled youth,” he said.
Speaking on Morocco and Africa’s relationship with the US, Bourita recalled that the Kingdom continues to have great relations with the US, adding that African countries need to work in good faith with international partners to develop the continent.
Speaking at the same event from Washington DC, US Vice President Kamala Harris noted the importance of the private sector, saying she believes in the power of public private partnerships to accelerate economic growth.
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Harris also announced that Washington DC would be hosting the US Africa Leaders Summit in December, where President Joe Biden will discuss relations with leaders from the African continent.
“President Joe Biden and I realize the critical importance of strengthening relations with Africa,” she said in a video message addressed to the summit.
Harris further spoke on the potential of the continent, saying that Biden’s administration aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.
“There’s so much opportunity for economic growth in Africa,” Harris said. “The continent is increasingly young, urban, and connected.”
Taking place in Marrakech from July 19 to the 22nd, the U.S.-Africa Business Summit brings together the US government and American business leaders with African counterparts to discuss avenues for consolidating US-Africa cooperation and advancing the continent’s development.
Through organizations like OCP Africa and megaprojects such as the Morocco Nigeria Gas Pipeline, Morocco has been improving relations and cooperation with other African countries since it rejoined the African Union in 2017.
Additionally, due to its old and healthy economic and political relations with the US, Morocco finds itself in a good position to become a gateway to sub-Saharan Africa for international partners.
