Kayouh: Logistics Infrastructure as a Key Lever for Africa’s Competitiveness and Achieving Continental Integration
The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, emphasized that logistics infrastructure is a fundamental pillar for enhancing the competitiveness of the African continent amid the rapid transformations in supply chains and international trade.
In a speech at the opening of the second edition of the International Forum and Exhibition on Mobility, Transport, and Logistics held in Casablanca under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, Kayouh noted that Africa, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, “looks towards a prosperous shared future, which can only be achieved through modern, safe, and effective transport networks connecting its countries and regions.”
He added that hosting this continental event under the auspices of the African Union of Transport and Logistics Organizations “reflects the kingdom’s commitment to supporting African integration and enhancing South-South cooperation in sustainable transport and logistics.”
The minister pointed out that Morocco has made continental connectivity a strategic choice through structured projects that combine developmental ambition with solidarity, citing the royal initiative to enable Sahel countries to access the Atlantic Ocean, aimed at “establishing new foundations for cooperation and shared development while sharing Moroccan expertise in road, rail, and port infrastructure.”
Kayouh highlighted major projects launched by the kingdom in this field, such as the Tanger-Med Port, which has become Africa’s leading port platform, the Nador West Mediterranean Port as a new hub for international trade and linking value chains, and the Dakhla Atlantic Port, which serves as Morocco’s gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa.
He also underscored the significance of the Tiznit-Dakhla highway as a strategic extension into the African interior that contributes to the smooth flow of goods and people and stimulates local and regional economies, affirming that it is an essential part of the Atlantic connectivity initiative for Sahel countries.
Regarding logistics infrastructure, the minister clarified that his ministry is working on developing logistics areas across various regions of the kingdom, as part of a program covering approximately 750 hectares, aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the national economy and attracting investments.
Kayouh affirmed that the ministry pays special attention to the southern regions, particularly Dakhla and Guelmim, to enhance their role as a strategic hub linking Africa with Europe and the world.
He concluded his remarks by emphasizing that continental integration requires digitizing operations, simplifying customs transit, and adopting clean energies across various transport modes, stressing that road safety remains a shared priority among African governments, as the continent loses hundreds of thousands of lives on its roads each year.
