Morocco Advocates for Dynamic Russia-Africa Partnership
In a significant address at the third Russia-Africa Summit held in Moscow, Moroccan Head of Government Fatima Zahra El Mansouri underscored the importance of moving beyond theoretical frameworks to tangible actions within the Russia-Africa partnership. Representing His Majesty King Mohammed VI, El Mansouri articulated Morocco's dedication to prioritizing Africa in its foreign policy, a commitment that has been a hallmark of the King's leadership.
El Mansouri highlighted various strategic initiatives that Morocco has championed to foster regional integration and development across the African continent. Noteworthy among these is the Atlantic African States Initiative, aimed at enhancing connectivity for Sahel nations through modern infrastructure, alongside the ambitious Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project. These endeavors are positioned as essential measures to enhance stability and collaborative growth among African states.
During her plenary session speech, El Mansouri emphasized that the partnership is at a critical juncture, advocating for a shift from mere planning to actionable strategies that align with Africa's pressing needs, such as food security, energy independence, and technological advancement. She expressed Morocco's readiness to contribute its expertise towards innovative and practical cooperation frameworks that can benefit the entire continent.
El Mansouri poignantly remarked, "It is not only Africa that needs the rest of the world; the rest of the world increasingly needs Africa," drawing attention to the continent's vast natural resources and its strategic geopolitical significance. Furthermore, she pointed out that the partnership has already begun to bear fruit, facilitating enhanced political dialogue and cooperation across various sectors including infrastructure, health, education, and technology.
As the summit progressed, she noted the substantial growth in trade between Russia and African nations, which surpassed $27.7 billion in 2025, reflecting a burgeoning economic relationship. El Mansouri articulated that this summit is not merely an opportunity to celebrate past achievements but also a vital moment to define the future trajectory of the partnership, especially in light of the increasing aspirations of African nations towards economic sovereignty and development.
Reiterating the historical ties between Morocco and Russia, El Mansouri recalled the deep-rooted friendship that has been reinforced through a strategic partnership established in 2002 and further enhanced during King Mohammed VI's visit to Moscow in 2016. Today, Morocco stands as one of Russia's top three economic partners in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching an impressive $630 million in 2025 and a notable increase in Moroccan exports by 18%. Additionally, more than 7,000 Moroccan students are currently pursuing their academic endeavors in Russia, further solidifying the cultural and educational exchanges between the two nations.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
