The two-day forum brought together senior policy-makers, industry leaders and representatives of international financial institutions. It served as a key platform for showcasing Morocco’s pioneering model in developing special economic zones (SEZs), which Mr. Lymouri described as essential tools for strengthening industrial sovereignty and expanding Africa’s role in global value chains.
Speaking at the opening session, chaired by Ms. Ngangamaso Matibisi, adviser to the Deputy President of South Africa, Mr. Lymouri underlined the growing relevance of SEZs in African public policy. He noted that these zones are now central to attracting foreign direct investment and generating employment, particularly in regions seeking rapid and sustainable industrial development.
The mayor highlighted the remarkable transformation of Tangier over the past two decades, attributing this shift to the forward-looking vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. At the core of this transformation stands the Tanger Med complex, now one of the Mediterranean’s most influential logistics platforms. The project, he said, has enabled Morocco to position itself as a trusted partner within global manufacturing and supply chains—including the automotive industry, which connects Morocco to markets in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
Mr. Lymouri also emphasised the strategic importance of the Atlantic Initiative launched by His Majesty the King in November 2023. He explained that this initiative aims to open access to the Atlantic for landlocked Sahel countries, thereby deepening Morocco’s long-standing commitment to its African partners. Backed by large-scale infrastructure—such as the Nador West Med Port and the Dakhla Atlantic Port, the latter with an investment envelope of 10.2 billion dirhams—the initiative is expected to strengthen South–South cooperation and reinforce Morocco’s role as a continental gateway.
Turning to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. Lymouri stressed the need to capitalise on the momentum generated by this landmark agreement. He argued that Africa must address governance and infrastructure challenges by developing efficient logistics corridors stretching from Tangier to Cape Town. Such corridors, he said, are essential for enabling seamless trade, enhancing competitiveness and building resilient regional value chains.
The Mayor concluded by reaffirming Tangier’s readiness to share its expertise with partner African cities. Thanks to its competitive assets, including high-speed rail connectivity and the Tanger Med port, Tangier stands, he said, as a model for cities seeking to integrate into continental and global markets.
The Durban conference brought together high-level stakeholders from across Africa, cementing its position as a strategic venue for debating the future of industrialisation and logistics on the continent.
