In a landmark announcement highlighting Morocco's strategic vision for continental connectivity, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka revealed plans for a visionary new highway project that will seamlessly link Morocco to Mauritania. Spanning from the city of Tiznit down to Zouerate in Mauritania, the ambitious corridor will traverse the Kingdom's southern provinces and pass through the crucial border post of El Guergarat, marking a significant leap forward in West African trade infrastructure.
Expanding the Tiznit–Dakhla Expressway and Strengthening Sub-Saharan Ties
The unveiling of this transformative transport initiative took place during a parliamentary session before the Committee on Infrastructure, Energy, Minerals, Environment, and Sustainable Development within the House of Representatives. The discussions focused on the sub-budget of the Ministry of Equipment and Water for the 2027 fiscal year. According to the presented roadmap, the project builds directly upon the massive ongoing 1,055-kilometer Tiznit–Dakhla expressway project, which has already redefined infrastructure development across Morocco's southern regions by connecting Tiznit to Laayoune and strengthening National Route 1 down to Dakhla.
Under the new vision, this high-speed highway axis will be extended southward toward El Guergarat. In subsequent phases, and in close coordination with Mauritanian authorities, the highway will stretch further into Mauritanian territory to reach the vital economic and mining hub of Zouerate. This logistical expansion is expected to drastically streamline the movement of people and commercial goods, reinforcing regional supply chains and cementing Morocco's status as a premier gateway to the deeper African market.
A Catalyst for Regional Integration and the Atlantic Gateway
This major infrastructural endeavor aligns seamlessly with the growing momentum of bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Mauritania. In September, both nations signed a pivotal framework agreement aimed at rehabilitating and widening the road connecting El Guergarat, Nouadhibou, and Nouakchott, thereby improving transport network interoperability and ensuring fluid cross-border transit.
Furthermore, the highway integration ties directly into broader national mega-projects, most notably the upcoming Atlantic Port of Dakhla. By connecting dynamic production centers like Zouerate directly to modernized transport networks and expanding Atlantic maritime hubs, the initiative promises to unlock unprecedented economic potential. While technical and financial feasibility studies, alongside detailed bilateral agreements on financing and implementation timelines, remain underway between Rabat and Nouakchott, the project signals a resolute commitment to shared prosperity and enduring stability across the region.
As reported by kech24.com.
