Morocco and Senegal sign 17 cooperation agreements at 15th joint commission

Monday 26 January 2026 - 17:20

The 15th session of the High Joint Commission for Morocco-Senegal partnership concluded with the signing of 17 legal instruments spanning multiple sectors, alongside a joint communiqué and meeting minutes. This milestone gathering, held January 26-27, 2026, in Rabat, underscores the shared commitment of both nations to deepen bilateral ties after a 13-year hiatus since the previous meeting in Dakar in 2013. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch of Morocco and his Senegalese counterpart Ousmane Sonko led the proceedings, following a confirmatory phone call that reaffirmed the schedule despite recent sporting tensions from the CAN 2025 final.

The agreements reflect robust strategic relations guided by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, covering economic, human, religious, and security dimensions. Morocco remains Senegal's top African supplier, with exports reaching 11.27 billion CFA francs in September 2025, outpacing Egypt and South Africa, though Senegal's exports to Morocco totaled just 2.28 billion CFA francs, highlighting a trade imbalance. In parallel, a Morocco-Senegal economic forum convened on the sidelines, aiming to boost business exchanges and address the deficit through enhanced investment and trade facilitation.

This relaunch comes amid calls from both leaders to move past the controversial CAN 2025 finale in Rabat on January 18, prioritizing common challenges over sports rivalries. Sonko's official visit included outreach to the Senegalese diaspora, reinforcing people-to-people links. The session signals a renewed phase in South-South cooperation, with expectations for swift implementation to drive mutual growth in key areas like trade, infrastructure, and regional stability.