Zawaya

Africa would benefit economically from Morocco AU accession

By: Driss Ben Ali

Morocco is stepping back onto the African stage.

Supported by active diplomacy and a coherent strategy of co-operation, Morocco ranks as the second most active South-South co-operation country on the continent — right behind South Africa, and way ahead of Nigeria.

True to the fact that it is a part of Africa in its entirety, Morocco also expresses full confidence in the future of this continent and invests without hesitation.

This results in the development of a vast banking network in Africa, the spread of Royal Air Maroc (RAM) services and the investments made by major public companies, including Office Cherifien des Phosphates (OCP), the National Office of Electricity (ONE), the National Drinking Water Office (ONEP) and Morocco Telecom.

In fact, Morocco’s approach is inspired by Hassan II’s formula, where he compares Morocco with “a tree with roots planted in Africa”.

That is the spirit in which this approach, adopted in the 60’s after the independence of many African countries, resulted in an important framework of bilateral co-operation agreements with these countries.

All in all, the Moroccan government has always worked to make Africa’s voice heard in the world and to develop co-operation and solidarity between its various components.

The Casablanca Group (1961) and the contribution to the creation of the Organisation of African Nations (OAU) attest to this commitment.

Even though Morocco had to quit this organisation in 1984, it has maintained, if not strengthened, its co-operation with the countries of the continent.

Today it seems that the African Union (AU) wants Morocco to be restored to its proper place.

This rapprochement, if it crystalises through the integration of Morocco into the AU, will have positive impacts throughout the Maghreb.

First, it will reduce conflicts and promote co-operation and, above all, will create a huge area of economic co-operation.

If all this becomes reality, great opportunities might be offered for Maghreb people as well as African people.

As a matter of fact, Africa has a significant potential for growth from now to 2020.

According to a report issued by the McKinsey Global Institute, 128 million households will have a regular income, the annual consumption rate will average 970 billion euros, and the gross domestic product will climb from today’s 1.1 trillion euros to 1.800 trillion euros.

And twenty years later, in 2040, with a workforce of 1.1 billion, the continent will provide the world with a labour reserve greater than China or India.