Ryad Mezzour Highlights Morocco’s Industrial and Logistics Transformation at the ELI Morocco Forum 2026
Morocco continues to strengthen its industrial power through a strategy of economic openness, investment in infrastructure, and integration into global value chains. This was the message conveyed by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ryad Mezzour, during his participation in the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 held in Tangier alongside the International Horse Riding Festival Mata.
Speaking at a panel dedicated to industry and free trade zones, the minister highlighted the significant transformations that the Kingdom has undergone over the past twenty-five years, particularly in the fields of industry, logistics, and international trade.
Tanger Med: A Catalyst for Moroccan Competitiveness
Ryad Mezzour emphasized that investments made in port infrastructure have profoundly changed Morocco’s position on global trade routes. He particularly pointed to the strategic role of the Tanger Med port complex, which today stands as Africa’s leading port and one of the main logistics hubs in the Mediterranean.
According to the minister, this infrastructure has significantly reduced transportation costs and times, eliminating some geographical constraints that once hampered the competitiveness of Moroccan exporters.
He recalled that a few years ago, shipping a container from Casablanca to Europe could take as long and incur costs comparable to those seen between Asia and the European continent. Thanks to the investments made, Morocco now boasts a high-performing logistics platform capable of supporting its industrial development.
An Economy Open to Over 100 Countries
The minister also underscored the strategic choices made by the Kingdom in terms of trade openness. This policy has enabled Morocco to sign free trade agreements with over 100 countries, thus providing privileged access to a market of nearly 3.5 billion consumers.
This openness has encouraged foreign investment and fostered the emergence of high-value-added industrial sectors. According to Ryad Mezzour, the gradual shift from a protected economy to a competitive one has strengthened Morocco’s integration into global production chains.
The Tire Industry: A Model of Successful Transformation
To illustrate this evolution, the minister cited the tire sector. The liberalization of the Moroccan market in favor of international competition has led to a deep restructuring of the industry, with the gradual disappearance of less competitive production units.
At the same time, new investments have emerged, particularly in the Tangier region, where production capacities now reach between 15 and 18 million tires per year, thus reinforcing the Kingdom’s industrial positioning.
An Internationally-Focused Model
For Ryad Mezzour, these developments reflect a structural transformation of Morocco’s economic landscape. The Kingdom has transitioned from a relatively protected industrial model to an open, competitive economy resolutely focused on international markets.
Bringing together public officials, investors, experts, and economic stakeholders, the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 also provided a platform to discuss the opportunities presented by the Morocco Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s increasingly prominent role as a hub for investment and development in Africa.
