Morocco promotes African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and strategic minerals in Washington
via Le Matin2 min read
Morocco recently held meetings in Washington with American institutions, international organizations, and think tanks to promote the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline AAGP project and strategic minerals. Discussions took place with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of State, the National Security Council, the World Bank Group, Mission 300, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Center for Strategic and International Studies CSIS, the Stimson Center, and the Atlantic Council - Global Energy Center. The AAGP, a strategic energy project envisioned by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Nigerian President, was highlighted for its regional dimension and potential for economic and energy integration across Africa. ONHYM presented the project's progress, including the finalization of feasibility studies and Front End Engineering Design FEED, and the adoption of terms for the Intergovernmental Agreement IGA that will govern the pipeline among ECOWAS member states. This IGA is awaiting signature by the heads of state of the transit countries. Work is also underway on institutional structuring, a necessary step before the Final Investment Decision FID. Discussions also covered the establishment of the Project Company, which will be responsible for financial structuring, operational development, and implementation coordination. The meetings emphasized the growing synergies between the AAGP energy corridor and the development of critical and strategic minera
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Morocco is ranked 72nd out of 120 countries in the "Energy Transition Index 2026" report by the World Economic Forum, with a score of 54.5 out of 100. This places the country below the global average score of 57.3. The index evaluates the overall performance of energy systems and their capacity for a sustainable transition, considering factors beyond just clean energy production, such as robust networks, stable regulatory frameworks, sufficient funding, supply security, and skilled personnel. The index uses 44 indicators across two main areas: current energy system performance 60% of the score, which includes energy access, cost, supply security, and environmental sustainability; and transition readiness 40% of the score, which assesses regulatory frameworks, political commitment, infrastructure, financing, innovation, training, and human capital. Morocco scored 58.4 for current performance but only 48.6 for transition readiness, indicating a need to strengthen the foundations for accelerating its transition. Within Africa, Morocco is 5th among the countries covered by the index, behind Namibia, Tunisia, Gabon, and South Africa. Globally, Sweden leads the ranking for the third consecutive year, followed by Finland and Denmark. The report also notes a global slowdown in energy transition in 2026, with the average global score increasing by only 0.03%, and transition readiness declining for the first time in over a decade. This slowdown is attributed to geopolitical tensions, f
The Executive Bureau of the Democratic Confederation of Labor CDT met on June 17 in Casablanca and announced a national protest march for Sunday, June 28, in Casablanca. This decision marks a new phase of union action, driven by concerns over the rising cost of living, declining purchasing power, and increasing social tensions. The CDT criticizes the government for imposing the burden of the crisis on employees and the working class, and for managing social dialogue through "imposition and manipulation" rather than through institutional mechanisms that could lead to concerted solutions. The union asserts that the government has failed to address workers' "just and legitimate" demands and has undermined the prospect of a new social landscape based on equity, dignity, and social and territorial justice. The CDT aims to pressure for the implementation of existing agreements, improved living conditions for workers, an end to attacks on union freedoms, and the initiation of a comprehensive dialogue with representative organizations, particularly regarding the proposed law on the right to strike. The march seeks a general increase in wages and pensions, protection of incomes against inflation, adherence to previous social commitments, and the defense of union freedoms and the right to strike. The CDT also calls for safeguarding pension benefits and creating employment opportunities for young people. The union urges the government to fulfill its political and social responsibilities
Must ReadThe ongoing debate in Brussels regarding the future of the European automotive industry directly impacts Morocco. While seemingly an internal EU discussion aimed at protecting its manufacturers and value chains from China's rise, Morocco is central to this reordering. Its geographical proximity to Europe, integration into Renault and Stellantis production chains, and Chinese investments in batteries and electric components expose it to European decisions. Adil Zaidi, president of the Automotive Federation of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises CGEM, views this not as an immediate threat but as a shift from "happy globalization" to a "globalization of resilience," driven by successive crises. Europe's new strategy focuses on shortening supply chains and strengthening industrial autonomy, which has elevated Morocco's importance as a reliable, close production platform. Zaidi emphasizes that Morocco is no longer just a subcontracting hub but a recognized industrial platform with an installed capacity of over 900,000 vehicles, aiming for one million units soon. He argues that Morocco acts as an industrial buffer for Europe, offering competitive production costs that support European factories. This complementarity explains why major European manufacturers like Renault and Stellantis advocate for less rigid local content rules, proposing a 70% European content threshold, leaving 30% for partner countries like Morocco. Morocco seeks recognition of its local content as