Morocco Launches Second Edition of African Continental Free Trade Area Business Forum in Marrakech
Marrakech, Friday, December 12, 2025 – Under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, the second edition of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum kicked off today in Marrakech, marking a new step towards enhancing economic integration on the African continent.
In his opening speech, the president emphasized that the forum is not merely a free trade agreement, but a real project for economic transformation in Africa. He pointed out that the continent, which accounts for approximately 16% of the world’s population, contributes only 3% to international trade, while intra-African trade does not exceed 16% compared to over 60% in Europe and Asia.
He noted that Morocco, despite its exports to African countries exceeding 30 billion dirhams, only represents 7% of the kingdom’s total foreign trade, stressing the importance of enhancing infrastructure, including roads, ports, digital platforms, and banks to facilitate trade exchanges.
The president also highlighted Morocco’s leading role in supporting multifaceted cooperation on the continent, through royal initiatives for African countries and strategic projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, which will serve as a foundation for developing joint industries including fertilizers, petrochemicals, construction materials, and food industries.
He mentioned the contribution of the Casablanca Financial Center and Moroccan banks operating in more than 20 African countries, as well as Bank Al-Maghrib’s membership in the African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), in supporting project financing, facilitating payments in local currencies, and providing loans for small and medium-sized enterprises.
He concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the success of AfCFTA requires the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, ensuring adherence to phasing-out schedules, and transforming African aspirations into tangible realities that foster growth, create job opportunities, and support sustainable economic integration on the continent.
