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Morocco strengthens its role as Türkiye’s gateway to African markets
Morocco is consolidating its position as a key strategic partner for Türkiye in accessing Africa’s fast-growing markets. During the fifth Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) held in Istanbul, Morocco’s Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hejira, reaffirmed Rabat’s determination to advance a balanced and mutually beneficial partnership between Africa and Türkiye.
A shared vision for sustainable cooperation
Hejira emphasized that Morocco’s south-south cooperation strategy has long been a cornerstone of its foreign policy, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and inclusive development across the continent. He stressed that Afro-Turkish relations are founded on trust and mutual respect and are showing steady progress across various economic sectors.
Trade between Morocco and Türkiye currently stands at around $33 million, with both sides seeking to expand collaboration in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, and emerging technologies. Hejira underlined that these ties should not only drive growth but also generate tangible added value for both parties.
Morocco’s Atlantic vision as a continental bridge
Highlighting Morocco’s Atlantic strategy, Hejira presented the country as a bridge linking Türkiye to Africa’s major markets. The initiative aims to foster trilateral cooperation among Morocco, Türkiye, and African nations in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare sovereignty, food security, renewable energy, textiles, automotive manufacturing, and electronics.
He pointed to Morocco’s advanced port infrastructure, particularly Tangier, Nador, and the upcoming Dakhla Atlantic Port, as major enablers of trade connectivity. These maritime corridors, combined with Morocco’s network of trade agreements and modern logistics systems, strengthen the country’s role as a preferred gateway for Turkish companies targeting African opportunities.
Expanding trade and economic ties
In June, Hejira and Turkish Deputy Minister of Commerce Mustafa Tuzcu pledged to increase bilateral trade to over $5 billion. The announcement came during a meeting in Ankara focused on revitalizing the Morocco-Türkiye free trade agreement (FTA).
The original agreement, signed in 2004 and implemented in 2006, was later amended to include a 90% tariff on Turkish textile and clothing imports to protect Moroccan industries and jobs. The latest discussions signal a renewed effort to rebalance trade while expanding investment flows and industrial cooperation.
Towards a deeper Afro-Turkish partnership
Hejira expressed optimism about the future of Türkiye-Africa relations, describing them as “promising and multidimensional.” He noted that both partners share a vision of development driven by innovation, industrial diversification, and responsible investment.
As Morocco continues to modernize its economy and strengthen its regional integration, the country is emerging as a vital entry point for Türkiye’s engagement with Africa, a position that reflects its stability, connectivity, and forward-looking diplomacy.
