Morocco’s experience and strategy in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) were highlighted at the subregional conference “Her AfCFTA” for Central Africa, which opened Wednesday in Brazzaville.
The meeting, dedicated to the continent’s economic development and strengthening the participation of women and young entrepreneurs in this continental market, provided an opportunity to showcase Morocco’s expertise as a key player and major economic leader within the AfCFTA, a market of nearly 1.5 billion people.
Speaking at a roundtable on national experiences and successful practices in domesticating the AfCFTA, Morocco’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo, Najoua El Berrak, outlined the Kingdom’s ratification of the Kigali Agreement establishing the AfCFTA, followed by the creation of a national implementation committee.
Morocco’s national AfCFTA strategy was launched in early 2025, mobilizing the relevant government departments and involving the private sector. That same year, Morocco officially joined the preferential trade mechanisms established under the agreement, she said, stressing that “Morocco did not wait for the legal process to be completed before preparing.”
With support from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Morocco developed a national strategy prioritizing four sectors: agriculture and agri-food, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and transport and logistics. These sectors offer potential for developing regional value chains, she added.
El Berrak also discussed customs measures and the implementation of the protocol on trade in goods, as well as efforts to simplify procedures for exporters and support businesses through awareness campaigns, training on rules of origin and trade missions to several African countries.
According to the Moroccan diplomat, this support relies on practical tools, including partnerships with Moroccan banks operating in Africa, a fund supporting investment abroad, and Tanger Med port, Africa’s leading container port.
The opening ceremony, attended by institutional stakeholders, financial partners and numerous entrepreneurs, featured a video highlighting the struggle of African leaders, including the late HM King Mohammed V, for the continent’s independence. It also underscored pan-African leadership and the importance of strengthening trade among African countries.
The conference brings together African ministers responsible for trade, along with technical and financial partners and economic stakeholders from across the continent.
Discussions focused, in particular, on reducing customs barriers and increasing women’s participation in regional value chains, with a view to facilitating access to subregional markets for women-led businesses.
The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of the “Brazzaville Declaration” and a regional roadmap outlining priority actions, stakeholder responsibilities, monitoring mechanisms and the funding to be mobilized.