Opening of the 26th Edition of the Rabat Forum on Mines and Enterprises
26th Edition of the Rabat Mines and Enterprises Forum Officially Launched
The 26th edition of the Rabat Mines and Enterprises Forum was officially inaugurated this Wednesday at the National School of Mines in Rabat. The event was attended by Leila Benali, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Ryad Mezzour, the Minister of Industry and Trade, as well as multiple ambassadors from various African countries.
Organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this year’s theme is “South-South Cooperation: Morocco at the Heart of New African Dynamics for Integrated Growth.” The forum serves as a strategic platform fostering dialogue between the academic world and the industrial sector, while also providing students and graduates with opportunities for networking and professional integration.
Strategic Challenges in a Changing International Context
In her opening speech, Leila Benali emphasized that the forum’s theme aligns perfectly with Morocco’s strategic priorities, particularly in the fields of energy and sustainable development, amidst a global context marked by profound changes and geopolitical tensions.
She affirmed that this situation reaffirms the relevance of Morocco’s energy and mining strategy initiated in 2009, highlighting the importance of energy sovereignty and regional integration based on renewable energies and strategic minerals.
Making Africa a Value-Creation Hub
The minister stressed the need to move beyond the reductive view of Africa as merely a resource reservoir, advocating for the continent to become a genuine hub for value-added creation, anchored in a model of sustainable and innovative development.
She also called for an ambitious national vision regarding energy and industrial transition, focusing on the development of renewable energies, strengthening infrastructures, and promoting research and innovation. In this context, she mentioned the recent launch of the first digital mining cadastre.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Forefront of Priorities
Ryad Mezzour highlighted the importance of fostering an innovative spirit and entrepreneurship among young people to support Morocco’s major economic and industrial projects.
He noted that Morocco’s strategic choices, particularly in investing in human capital and infrastructure, have solidified its position as an emerging regional player, referencing the Royal Atlantic Initiative aimed at promoting shared development.
Three Major Areas of Focus
The director of the National School of Mines in Rabat, Omar Aouassdi, specified that this edition’s discussions will center on three main themes: the valorization of African resources, the development of intra-African trade, and the strategic role of infrastructure, particularly in transportation, logistics, and digital technology.
Strengthened Commitment to South-South Cooperation
Joseph Fayiah Johnson, the Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia to Morocco, praised the dynamics of South-South cooperation, describing it as a concrete lever for the development of the African continent. He also emphasized Morocco’s role in strengthening African partnerships based on the principle of mutual benefit.
A Forum Dedicated to Employment and Innovation
Alongside the event, royal distinctions were awarded to several staff members of the institution in recognition of their professional commitment.
Spanning two days, the forum brings together major national and international companies, offering concrete opportunities for internships, employment, and partnerships, while also highlighting innovations and best practices in the industrial sector.
This 26th edition thus solidifies the forum’s status as an essential gathering to stimulate innovation, enhance youth employability, and promote South-South economic and industrial cooperation.
