France-Africa Summit: Morocco Showcases Its Industrial Model & Opportunities in Africa

Morocco has laid out its successful industrial experience driven by competitive & thriving automotive and aerospace sectors. The Moroccan success-story stands as an inspirational model in a continent of opportunities.

Speaking Tuesday at a panel held at the French-African Summit 2026 convened in Nairobi in presence of several African Heads of State,PMs,UN Chief and leaders of international institutions,Head of Govt. Aziz Akhannouch said Morocco,under the leadership of King Mohammed VI,has turned industry into engine of the country’s economic transformation boosted by Free Trade Agreements with EU,U.S. and Africa,

Africa’s potential remains largely untapped,with intra-African trade accounting for only 16% of total trade,compared to nearly 60% in Asia and Europe,said the minister,noting that the Continent,which has huge

solar resources,still accounts for only about 1% of installed solar photovoltaic capacity.

He also stressed the importance of improving investment attractiveness in Africa,saying industry development hinges on modern infrastructure,competitive energy,efficient logistics,and a transparent business climate.

He cited in this regard Morocco’s global leadership in renewable energy,the Kingdom high-speed rail line and Tanger-Med port,a major industrial and logistics hub in the Mediterranean.

Access to funding is a critical driver for industrial growth,innovation,and enhanced productivity,underlined the minister. In Morocco,he said,funding for industrial projects is supported by the new Investment Charter and

the Mohammed VI Investment Fund,which mobilizes public capital building trust,sharing risk,and attracting private capital.

More than 30 Heads of state and government met in Kenya’s capital,Nairobi,for France-Africa summit 2026. The event held every few years since 1973 took place in a non-francophone country for the first time. Named “Africa Forward” summit,it is is seen by analysts as an attempt by France to court new allies and rebuild France’s role on the continent after setbacks in its former colonies.