HIBAPRESS
The second edition of the Business Forum for the African Continental Free Trade Area, organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, concluded in Marrakech on Friday, December 12th. The forum took place over the course of December 11th and 12th.
The organization of this forum comes within the framework of the special attention that His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God grant him victory, pays to South-South cooperation, especially with African countries, considering it a strategic lever for the Kingdom's foreign policy. This is reflected in the numerous royal visits to the African continent and the speeches of His Majesty.The forum attracted over 1,000 participants, including 30 representing African countries, in addition to the presence of 31 official delegations comprising 15 African ministers in charge of trade and a number of ambassadors from friendly and sister African countries, reflecting a high level of institutional engagement in this continental event. The forum also witnessed strong economic mobilization, manifested in the participation of 10 Moroccan federations representing various regions of the Kingdom, in addition to 8 African exhibitors, as well as the presence of 9 African employers' unions. The forum constituted a space for exchanging views between various actors on the promising economic potentials offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area, which includes a market exceeding 1.3 billion consumers. During the forum, practical steps for activating the area were also discussed, and best practices and successful experiences in the fields of trade and investment were reviewed, and prospects for their development were anticipated. The forum also provided a framework for dialogue between decision-makers in the fields of economics and trade, economic actors on the continent, representatives of international organizations, and civil society فعاليات (activities), on ways to achieve development and African integration through the optimal utilization of the African Continental Free Trade Area. During this framework, opportunities for cooperation were diagnosed, strategic partnerships were strengthened, areas of trade and investment were expanded, and technology and innovation were transferred. In parallel with the forum's activities, an exhibition of national and African products was organized, including regional products, where all regions of the Kingdom participated by displaying products of the social and solidarity economy and traditional industry, the Moroccan exports exhibition and some African countries witnessed the participation of a group of Moroccan production federations from different regions of the Kingdom, in addition to exhibitors from African countries and the presence of African employers' unions. Within the framework of raising awareness of the opportunities provided by the agreement establishing the area, an interactive workshop was organized for youth and women, under the joint supervision of experts representing the Ministry of Trade and the General Secretariat of the Area, with the aim of facilitating their access to African markets. This workshop witnessed great interaction and wide appreciation from the participants. The presence and participation of a large number of businesswomen and men from Morocco and African countries was an opportunity to hold a number of B2B meetings to explore ways to enhance intra-trade as well as the possibilities of creating joint investments that embody African economic integration within a win-win framework as His Majesty the King, may God protect him, calls for. On this occasion, the participants emphasized the importance of building confidence in the capabilities of the African person, supporting the spirit of innovation, and making the most of the promising opportunities offered by the area, especially in expanding markets, increasing trade opportunities, improving supply chains, reducing barriers to trade and investment, and creating job opportunities, especially for African youth.The forum concluded with the signing of a number of cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, aimed at strengthening the territorial dimension at the African level and accessing digitalization as a lever for intra-African exports. The forum also witnessed a closed meeting for trade ministers from African countries, which led to the development of a unified position for the continent in preparation for the upcoming ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization, expected to be held in March 2026 in Cameroon. The activities concluded with the recitation of a telegram of thanks, loyalty, and devotion to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry and Trade in charge of Foreign Trade, Omar Hajira, the President of the Moroccan Exporters Association, Hassan Sentissi, the President of the Association of Regions of Morocco, M'Barka Bouaida, and the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, Chakib Alj.
