Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, emphasized during her participation in the fifth session of the “Diplomatic Morocco – Sahara” forum in Dakhla that the Atlantic Sahara is strongly positioned to become a “strategic corridor connecting and bridging the two continents.” This statement is supported by a series of major energy projects launched under the wise leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Benali announced that Morocco is on the verge of launching its sovereign gas infrastructure, which includes a gas reception terminal at the Port of Nador West Mediterranean, in addition to a network of gas pipelines linking the cities of Tangier, Kenitra, and Mohammedia to the main industrial and electricity hubs in the country.
The minister explained that this infrastructure will integrate with the first phase of the West African–Atlantic gas pipeline project, previously known as the Nigeria–Morocco project. She pointed out that this pipeline has evolved beyond merely transporting gas; it has become a tool for enhancing economic and social integration between North and West Africa, serving as a crucial lever to dismantle regional isolation.
Benali also addressed the electricity interconnection project between Morocco and Mauritania, asserting that it will enhance electricity exchange between the two countries and contribute to building a regional energy market along the Atlantic corridor. This dynamic is part of a broader strategy that includes developing electrical interconnections with Spain, Portugal, and France, as well as future high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines, further boosting Morocco’s position as an energy link between Africa and Europe.
The minister highlighted the upcoming OTC (Production, Transit, Certification) corridor, which is anticipated to be officially announced on November 24 during the international mining conference in Morocco, as a new mechanism to reinforce the kingdom’s leading role in global energy value chains.
Regarding energy potentials in the southern regions, Benali confirmed that they currently have more than 1.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, with investments surpassing 20 billion dirhams, alongside a plan to add an additional 1.5 gigawatts by 2030. This will require deploying capacities exceeding those achieved over the past twenty years in less than five years.
Benali concluded her remarks by reaffirming that Moroccan Sahara is reclaiming its historical role as a “crossroads” linking the north and south of the continent, from Tangier to Port Harcourt, in support of shared and sustainable development.
It is noteworthy that the fifth session of the “Diplomatic Morocco – Sahara” forum, held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, serves as a platform for dialogue and exchange of views among government officials, economic experts, academics, and representatives from regional and international organizations regarding the strategic dimensions of territorial unity and Morocco’s role in enhancing continental integration.
