Rabat – Morocco’s southern provinces drew interest from investors in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region at business meetings held in Bordeaux on October 23. Organized by Morocco’s Consulate General in Bordeaux, the meetings focused on economic opportunities in the provinces and potential partnerships between Moroccan companies and businesses in southwestern France.
Stéphane Loniewski, vice president of the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed presentations by the directors of regional investment centers from the three southern regions, along with bilateral business meetings.
He urged French investors, particularly those in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, to consider opportunities in Morocco, citing its skilled workforce, logistics, investment incentives and business climate.
Ahmed Abzizi, president of the Bordeaux Maritime and Port Union, called for more exchanges to identify investment opportunities, understand administrative procedures and available incentives, and build future partnerships.
At the event, the three regional investment centers presented sectors they consider strategic. Faisal Sahmani, director of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Investment Center, outlined opportunities in the blue economy, renewable energy, green hydrogen, logistics, industrial activities and the development of marine resources.
He also referred to the new development model for the southern provinces, saying major investments made under King Mohammed VI had provided modern infrastructure and supported sustainable growth.
Investment priorities across the southern regions
Mohammed Jaafar, director of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Regional Investment Center, discussed the region’s competitive advantages and investment opportunities. He linked its positioning to the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which he said opened new routes for connectivity, trade and regional economic integration.
Mohammed Assous, director of the Guelmim-Oued Noun Regional Investment Center, pointed to infrastructure developed under the southern provinces’ development model. This includes the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, airports in Guelmim and Tan-Tan, ports in Tan-Tan and Sidi Ifni, and industrial land distributed across the region’s four provinces.
Morocco’s consul general in Bordeaux, Nezha Sahel, said the meetings aimed to connect Moroccan businesses with their counterparts in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, increase contact between companies, and establish concrete, lasting partnerships.
Read also: French Business Leaders Scout Investment Opportunities in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab
The southern provinces have attracted growing investment interest as Morocco advances major infrastructure, renewable energy, and green hydrogen projects designed to strengthen the region’s role in trade, logistics, and clean energy.
Recent developments include the Dakhla Atlantic Port, a major national infrastructure project designed to expand the region’s trade and logistics capacity. Construction was 70% complete by mid-September, with the project’s cost revised to MAD 15.06 billion and completion targeted for the end of 2028. Operations are expected to begin in 2029.
International investment is also targeting renewable energy and green hydrogen. In June, the government reviewed planned projects led by ORNX Morocco and the TAQA Morocco-Moeve consortium in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab and Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, validating initial technical-study deliverables.
Meanwhile, Morocco launched studies in April for the Igoudar Dakhla program, a planned green data center complex with a target capacity of 500 megawatts.
