Trade Challenges in the African Market

Morocco’s ambition to enhance trade with Africa is facing several hurdles, mainly logistical. With exorbitant air transport costs and a struggling national maritime fleet, land transport remains the primary means used by Moroccan exporters.
«Trade between Morocco and Africa remains minimal, mainly due to logistical challenges,» explains Hassan Sentissi El Idrissi, President of ASMEX (Moroccan Exporters Association).
Currently, Morocco’s trade is heavily oriented toward Europe, which accounts for 63.2% of the country’s total trade. In 2023, trade volume with Europe reached 724.8 billion Moroccan dirhams (DH), reflecting a 5.7% increase compared to the previous year. However, trade with African nations amounted to only 52.7 billion DH in 2023, compared to 64.4 billion DH in 2022, marking an 18% decline in a single year.
Exports to African countries represent only 7.6% of Morocco’s total exports. Studies indicate that Morocco has untapped export potential in Africa, estimated at 12 billion DH, according to Omar Hejira, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, speaking in parliament.

A Blow to Competitiveness

According to ASMEX’s president, it is crucial to develop maritime transport links with Africa and establish a national shipping fleet to facilitate trade. «To ship their goods, Moroccan exporters primarily rely on European shipping lines, with stopovers in Morocco before heading to African countries, which involves additional costs,» explains Hassan Sentissi.
The logistical challenges faced by Moroccan exporters can increase logistics costs between 35% and 55% of the merchandise price, he adds, weakening the competitiveness of Moroccan products in African markets, where international competition is fierce.

Maritime Fleet: Strategy Yet to Materialize

The strategic study aimed at establishing a strong and competitive national maritime fleet is still under review. Initiated in 2023 following royal directives from the 48th anniversary of the Green March, the study is currently undergoing consultations.
In January, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, held a meeting in Rabat to assess the study’s progress. He instructed the consulting firm to expand discussions with relevant departments and incorporate feedback from ministers.
According to ASMEX’s president, the study covers several key aspects, including financing, management, investment in shipbuilding, and maintenance infrastructure.

Khadija Skalli