A recent report issued by the “Observer Research Foundation” (a research center) confirmed that the stability enjoyed by Morocco and its liberal economic policies made it an attractive investment destination for the Chinese Belt and Road and Digital Silk Road initiatives, noting that “the partnership between China and Morocco has witnessed significant growth over the past two decades, especially after King Mohammed VI assumed power in 1999.”
The report, entitled “The Digital Silk Road in Morocco,” noted that “the Kingdom, as a historical partner of China, is exploiting the increasing multipolarity in the international community, especially in the Mediterranean region, to diversify its economic partners and address vital challenges related to infrastructure, technological advancement, and bridging capital investment gaps,” noting in this regard the signing of the Belt and Road Initiative implementation plan between China and Morocco in 2022.
Since then, the same source confirms, “China’s influence within the Belt and Road Initiative has expanded significantly in Morocco, especially through its technological and digital arm: the Digital Silk Road (DSR), also known as the Information Silk Road. This project focuses on bringing advanced IT infrastructure to countries benefiting from Belt and Road Initiative investments, such as broadband networks, e-commerce centers, and smart cities, and is supervised by giant Chinese technology companies.” The report continued, “China aims, through its investments in Morocco, to strengthen trade and investment ties and expand its influence in broader regions such as the Atlantic Mediterranean region and sub-Saharan Africa,” adding that “China’s economic presence in Morocco has expanded significantly, as China was the third largest exporter to Morocco last year, worth $6.67 billion. Chinese companies specializing in green energy and technology are also showing great interest in investing in Morocco, with nearly 200 companies planning to invest there.” The Observer Research Foundation noted that “Beijing considers Morocco a major investment destination thanks to its growing economy, relatively stable political system, and advanced investment policies. The country has free trade agreements with the European Union, France, Italy, and the United States, in addition to being a party to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which allows any foreign company operating in Morocco to enjoy the advantages of accessing the local market.”
Regarding the most prominent major Chinese investments in Morocco, the report stated that between 2013 and 2023, Chinese government and private companies invested approximately $9.4 billion in major projects focused on the green energy and energy technology sectors, noting that “Chinese investments in Morocco also include the establishment of factories to produce electric batteries, phosphate poles, tires, and refining of basic metals, as these investments are concentrated in the Mohammed VI Technical City in Tangier, a joint project funded by the Export-Import Bank of China with a value of one billion US dollars.”
In a similar context, the report highlighted that “the increasing Chinese investments in Morocco are linked to the deterioration of bilateral relations between Europe and the Maghreb countries; France, in particular, considered the region within its sphere of influence for decades after the end of French colonialism. However, rapid and unconditional Chinese loans and direct investments have given China a strong start in the region,” he said, noting that “to counter China’s growing influence, the European Union launched the Global Gateway initiative to develop global infrastructure, while Italy launched the Mattei Plan to invest in Morocco’s energy, transport, education and water sectors.” The report concluded that “Morocco’s ability to maneuver between these competing interests and take advantage of the various initiatives will play a decisive role in determining its future development path,” considering that “the success of the Digital Silk Road in Morocco depends on the quality of Chinese infrastructure projects, the sustainability of Chinese financing, and Morocco’s ability to balance its economic and geopolitical interests.”
