African Institute for Development Moves Its Permanent Headquarters to Dakhla

Rabat – The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) announced on Monday the moving of its permanent headquarters from Geneva, Switzerland to Morocco’s Dakhla.

According to a statement, the Dakhla headquarters would serve as a platform for decision-making regarding the institute’s operations in Africa. In addition, the institution would use the new location to oversee the implementation of its strategies for social and economic development aiming to serve the African population.

The relocation agreement of this international organization to Dakhla was signed on Monday in Rabat, by the Ambassador, Director General of Bilateral Relations and Regional Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Fouad Yazoug, and the Secretary General of the African Development Institute, Emmanuel Kadem.

The institute’s founding purpose is to promote the economic, social, and cultural development of African countries. To achieve its goals, AFIDEP provides research, advice, and training for African officials at various levels to ultimately improve living conditions in Africa.

In a statement to the press, Kadem underscored the importance of the agreement saying that “Morocco plays a very important role in South-South cooperation,” noting the special attention that King Mohammed VI relegates to pan-African cooperation.

Kadem further underlined that “Morocco is a model of development in Africa and among the most advanced countries on the continent,” adding that this signature and this cooperation will allow the African Development Institute to carry out its mission.

For his part, Yazoug stressed the importance of this agreement, explaining that it is in line with “the King’s vision and instructions for supporting sustainable development, youth involvement, and academic research.”

“Morocco places its development, security, and stability as an integral part of the continent to which it belongs,” he said.

Yazoug continued: “The city of Dakhla today constitutes a natural bridge towards Africa, and it was chosen by Africans themselves and other countries around the world as a platform not only for transit but also for production.”