By Mohamed Ghani
Marrakech, Morocco – June 2, 2025 – King Mohammed VI delivered a powerful message advocating for Africa’s economic transformation at the opening of the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend Forum in Marrakech on Sunday, June 1st. In his address, read by royal advisor André Azoulay, the King outlined a bold vision for the continent’s development, emphasizing the need for innovative financing mechanisms and greater intra-African trade.
The King challenged the current model of relying heavily on external aid and debt, stating, “Africa cannot rely solely on public development aid or external funding, which, by nature, generate debt.” He instead urged African nations to cultivate “an institutional, economic, and social environment conducive to development,” fostering self-reliance and sustainable growth.
A key tenet of his address focused on boosting trade within the continent. Recalling his 2015 speech in Abidjan, the King reiterated the need to “strengthen and expand intra-African trade,” highlighting the stark reality that Africa’s share of global trade remains a mere 3%, while intra-African trade accounts for only 16% of the continent’s total trade volume, far less than the figures in Europe and Asia.
King Mohammed VI emphasized Africa’s vast potential, noting that the continent possesses “40% of the world’s raw material reserves and 30% of critical minerals, as well as vast mineral, energy, water, agricultural, and biological resources.” He declared, “Africa can no longer afford to simply export its raw materials. The time has come for Africa to fully harness its wealth.”
The King positioned Morocco as a “strategic catalyst for South-South partnerships,” highlighting concrete, transformative projects like the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), which he described as “a true corridor for integration and economic development.” He also underscored Morocco’s commitment to financing African projects through the “Mohammed VI Investment Fund” and “Casablanca Finance City.”
Concluding his address, King Mohammed VI stressed that true development is not simply ordained but “built through ambitious policies, investment in human capital, and rigorous economic governance.” He echoed the sentiments of his 2015 address in Abidjan, stating that “if the last century was one of independence for African states, the 21st century must be one of triumph over the scourges of underdevelopment, poverty, and exclusion.” His message resonated deeply with the forum’s participants, setting the stage for crucial discussions on charting a new course for Africa’s economic future.
