The French Development Agency (AFD) announced on Thursday the approval of a €100 million loan to Morocco's National Ports Agency to finance several port infrastructure projects in the Sahara region. The announcement was made by Bertrand Walckenaer, Deputy Director General of AFD, during the French-Moroccan Economic Forum held in Dakhla. The event brought together representatives from major French companies, including Safran, Engie, and Azura, reflecting the breadth of sectors involved. During the forum, French Ambassador to Morocco Christophe Lecourtier highlighted the strong partnership between Morocco and France and the joint efforts to harness the Kingdom's vast potential. He emphasized key areas of cooperation such as renewable energy, the Europe-Africa corridor, and the development of green hydrogen, noting that «these initiatives will primarily take shape in the regions of Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab». Addressing French companies, the ambassador urged, «Now, more than ever, is the time to step up efforts to seize the opportunities Morocco offers in these regions». The forum, organized by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) through the France-Morocco Employers' Club, aims to strengthen bilateral economic ties and explore new opportunities for cooperation between Moroccan and French businesses. It is worth recalling that France officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara in July 2024, when French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a letter to King Mohammed VI that «the current and future status of Western Sahara is under Moroccan sovereignty».
