US report highlights Morocco’s rise as regional investment powerhouse

The United States Department of State has praised Morocco’s strategic transformation into a regional business and industrial hub,citing its political stability,infrastructure development,and investor-friendly reforms as key drivers of economic growth.

In its 2025 Investment Climate Statement,the US government underscores Morocco’s emergence as a gateway to Africa,Europe,and the Middle East,positioning the country as a preferred destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) and regional manufacturing.

Morocco’s geographic location at the crossroads of three continents is complemented by world-class infrastructure,including Africa’s largest commercial port,Tanger-Med,and the upcoming Nador West Med and Dakhla Atlantic ports. These projects are part of Morocco’s “Atlantic Initiative,” aimed at connecting landlocked Sahel countries to global trade routes.

The country is also preparing to host major international events,including the Africa Cup of Nations in December 2025 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup,which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal. These events are driving massive investments in roads,rail,telecoms,and airport expansion.

Despite a global downturn,Morocco’s FDI rebounded strongly in 2024,increasing 50.7% in the first nine months to reach $1.6 billion,with France accounting for 61.4% of net inflows. Key sectors attracting investment include industry,real estate,and tourism.

Morocco’s updated Investment Charter,adopted in December 2022,aims to boost private investment to two-thirds of total investment by 2035,offering financial incentives and sectoral bonuses,especially for strategic industries like renewables,pharmaceuticals,and defense.

The report highlights Morocco’s ambitious energy goals,with plans to raise the share of renewables in total energy consumption from 19.5% in 2021 to 40% by 2035. Investment opportunities abound in green hydrogen,smart grids,and energy storage.

In the digital sector,Morocco launched its 2030 Digital Strategy in September 2024,aiming to create 240,000 jobs and train 100,000 youth annually,reinforcing its position as a future digital leader in Africa.

Morocco remains the only African country with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States,which has helped bilateral trade in goods grow nearly eightfold since its implementation in 2006. The FTA supports Morocco’s ambition to become a regional financial and trade hub.

While the report acknowledges challenges such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and slow regulatory reform,it commends Morocco’s commitment to transparency,legal modernization,and regional investment facilitation through agencies like AMDIE and Regional Investment Centers (CRIs).