Morocco-Russia: Rabat Advocates for a Concrete Partnership in Africa
Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to a Concrete Russia-Africa Partnership
Morocco has reaffirmed its commitment to a Russia-Africa partnership based on tangible projects, mutual respect, and the development priorities of the continent. In Moscow, government leader Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, representing King Mohammed VI at the third Russia-Africa Summit, highlighted royal initiatives aimed at regional integration, improving access for the Sahel, and strengthening economic cooperation among African nations and their international partners.
Royal Initiatives at the Heart of Morocco’s African Vision
During the summit’s plenary session, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri emphasized that Africa is a major priority in Morocco’s foreign policy, driven by King Mohammed VI’s vision. This direction is reflected in several key initiatives designed to enhance connectivity, economic integration, and regional stability.
The government leader cited the Atlantic African States Initiative, a royal initiative to facilitate Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean, and the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline project.
These projects are part of a vision for regional cooperation focused on developing infrastructure, opening new economic opportunities, and strengthening ties between African countries. The aim is to promote the Sahel’s accessibility and support co-development across West Africa.
Advancing the Russia-Africa Partnership to Achieve Results
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri stated that the partnership between Russia and African countries must now take a significant step forward, transitioning from planning to actual project implementation. The action plans adopted during previous summits in Sochi and St. Petersburg have laid the groundwork for structured cooperation, but their execution must be more aligned with the continent’s priorities.
The government official emphasized four strategic areas: food security, energy security, industrialization, and technology transfer.
She asserted that Africa needs all its international partners, provided that various cooperation frameworks are complementary, based on mutual respect, and lead to concrete actions. In this context, Morocco intends to contribute to the emergence of new cooperation avenues between Russia and the African continent.
Africa as a Strategic Partner for the World
In her address, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri also highlighted Africa’s potential, fueled by its natural resources, human capital, geographic location, and historical, cultural, and political diversity.
She noted that relations between Africa and its international partners should not merely focus on the continent’s needs. Global economies also have an increasing interest in developing relationships with Africa, given its economic weight and development prospects.
The third Russia-Africa Summit takes place against a backdrop of rising expectations from African countries regarding development, energy security, food security, and economic sovereignty. For Rabat, strengthening the institutional framework of the partnership must be accompanied by tangible results benefiting African populations and economies.
Russia-Africa Trade Surpasses $27.7 Billion
Seven years after the Sochi Summit and three years after the St. Petersburg Summit, the Russia-Africa partnership has made significant progress, according to the government leader. This includes institutionalizing meetings, enhancing political dialogue, adopting action plans, and launching cooperation projects in infrastructure, health, education, training, energy, and technology transfer.
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri pointed out that trade between Russia and the African continent exceeded $27.7 billion in 2025.
However, the Moroccan official stressed the need to identify the next steps in this cooperation to transform strategic orientations into operational projects and better address the priorities expressed by African countries.
Morocco-Russia: Strengthened Relations Since 2002
Regarding bilateral relations, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri recalled that the ties between Morocco and Russia are based on a long history of friendship. They have been particularly strengthened by the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2002 and further deepened during King Mohammed VI’s visit to Moscow in 2016.
Today, Morocco ranks among Russia’s top three economic partners in Africa. Bilateral trade reached $630 million in 2025, while Moroccan exports to the Russian market rose by 18%.
Cooperation is also visible in higher education, with over 7,000 Moroccan students pursuing their studies in Russia during the 2024-2025 academic year, illustrating the human dimension of relations between the two countries.
Despite a complex geopolitical environment, bilateral exchanges have remained at levels considered commendable by the government leader.
New Avenues for Cooperation to Explore
Beyond trade and academic collaboration, Morocco and Russia still have substantial opportunities for cooperation in energy, science, and technology sectors.
This commitment to deepening political dialogue and exploring new cooperation areas was evidenced by the recent establishment of a working committee between the foreign ministries of both countries. The committee’s first meeting was held in September 2026.
By participating in the third Russia-Africa Summit, Morocco reiterates its dedication to international cooperation based on the complementarity of partnerships and the realization of commitments. Rabat aims to continue promoting an approach where African initiatives and international collaborations contribute directly to the continent’s development, regional integration, and economic sovereignty.
