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Rabat – In a significant advancement of the longstanding Franco-Moroccan partnership, 22 new agreements were signed in Rabat today in the presence of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The deals, spanning multiple sectors from transport and energy to cultural cooperation, underscore the strategic alliance between Morocco and France and highlight their commitment to fostering economic and technological growth.
Key agreements included a contract between Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF) and French multinational Alstom to supply high-speed trains and related support.
Additionally, ONCF signed contracts with Sistra Egis for technical assistance and with Goslo Cogifer for turnouts, aimed at enhancing Morocco’s rail infrastructure.
These initiatives align with Morocco’s goal of modernizing its transportation sector with French expertise, following the success of projects like the Casablanca-Tangier high-speed train, inaugurated in 2018.
In the energy sector, Morocco and France fortified their shared vision for a green future. Agreements with TotalEnergies and Safran, as well as a memorandum between Morocco’s OCP and the French Development Agency (AFD) on decarbonization, reflect a joint commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Another noteworthy deal involved the expansion of the Taza wind farm, part of Morocco’s ambition to source 52% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030.
This partnership also builds on Morocco’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% and avoid new coal power plants, with substantial backing from French firms focused on low-carbon technology.
The two nations also emphasized their shared priorities in civil protection and firefighting, port infrastructure, water management, and agriculture.
In education, a declaration on cooperation for 2024-2026 was signed, strengthening the ties between French and Moroccan universities and enhancing bilateral research.
President Macron reiterated France’s role as a gateway to the European market for Moroccan firms, and France continues to be the top destination for Moroccan students abroad, with over 45,000 Moroccan students enrolled in 2023.
Morocco and France also expanded cooperation in the creative industry, cultural heritage, and video game development, showcasing a holistic approach to partnership that includes modern digital sectors.
Moreover, an agreement to establish a Morocco-France investment accelerator promises to attract mutual investments and foster economic opportunities in both countries.
France is Morocco’s leading trade and investment partner in North Africa, ranking as the top client for Moroccan exports and the second-largest supplier to the Kingdom.
Trade between the two nations rose to €14.1 billion in 2023, largely driven by Morocco’s automotive exports and France’s transport equipment and grain sales.
The Ukraine conflict intensified Morocco’s reliance on French grain, positioning France as a crucial supplier amid Morocco’s efforts to ensure food security.
The ties between the two nations extend beyond trade. France remains Morocco’s largest foreign investor, with significant ventures in real estate, industry, commerce, and finance.
In turn, Morocco has emerged as the top African investor in France, with Moroccan foreign direct investment in France reaching €1.8 billion in 2022, spanning sectors including high-level decision-making centers and economic co-location projects.
