Morocco's Atlantic initiative drives Africa-Caribbean cooperation forward

Monday 08 September 2025 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco's Atlantic initiative drives Africa-Caribbean cooperation forward

Morocco has spotlighted its Atlantic Initiative as a cornerstone of effective South-South cooperation during the 2nd Africa-CARICOM Summit. The initiative aims to transform the Atlantic region into a hub of global connectivity, fostering development and integration between Africa and the Caribbean.

Leading the Moroccan delegation, Mohammed Arrouchi, Morocco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the UN-ECA, emphasized that the Atlantic Initiative goes beyond granting landlocked African countries access to the Atlantic Ocean. It envisions a shared infrastructure network to bolster trade, development, and collaboration across regions.

Arrouchi reinforced that inter-African cooperation and partnerships with the Global South are central to Morocco’s foreign policy. However, he acknowledged that economic exchanges between Africa and the Caribbean remain below expectations, necessitating stronger practical partnerships.

The 1st Africa-CARICOM Summit had previously identified key areas for cooperation, such as trade, agriculture, energy, health, education, and connectivity. Arrouchi stressed the importance of sustained efforts in these sectors to create a resilient and tailored development model for Africa and the Caribbean.

Launched in November 2023, the Atlantic Initiative is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to position Africa as a global actor. In his Green March speech, His Majesty King Mohammed VI highlighted the vision of transforming the Atlantic region into a space for economic integration and human interaction, enabling it to play a pivotal role in global economic and security affairs.

By fostering cooperation and breaking down isolation, Morocco aims to establish the Atlantic region as a vital player in international connectivity and development.