Morocco

The Green Morocco Plan is boosting the agricultural sector.

Capital: Rabat Other towns/cities: Casablanca, Fez, Tangiers, Marrakesh Population: 34.3-million (2018) GDP: $117.9-billion (2018) GDP per capita (PPP): $8 586 (2018) Currency: Dirham

Regional Economic Community:

Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) Landmass: 446 300km² Coastline: 1 835km Resources: Fish, salt, phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc. Main economic sectors: Fishing, phosphate mining, automotive, tourism. Other sectors: Textiles, chemicals, clothing, agriculture. New sectors for investment: Transport and logistics, renewable energy (target of 50% of installed capacity from RE by 2030), food processing, construction, leather. Key projects: Industrial Acceleration Plan stresses diversification (automotive, aeronautics and electronics). Investment into Peugot plant will double capacity. Reform of tax system. Combating poverty measures through job creation and social programmes. Green Morocco Plan. Chief exports: Citrus fruits and market vegetables, semiprocessed and consumer goods (textiles), phosphates. Top export destinations: Spain, France, Italy, US. Top import sources: Spain, France, China, US, Germany, Italy, Turkey. Main imports: Crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastic. Infrastructure: Free trade zone at Tangiers; Tangier-Med (largest port in Africa and Mediterranean); LNG terminal at Jorf Lasfar; high-speed rail link between Tangiers and Casablanca; 944km gas pipeline; 57 300km of highway; oldest library in world, University of al-Quarawiyyin Library in Fez; 31 paved airports. ICT: 58% Internet users. ICT Development Index 2017 (ITU) ranking: 100. Climate: Northern part of country is Mediterranean, with wet winters and dry summers. Further south is semi-arid which becomes desert and the Atlas Mountains form a rain shadow for the interior. Religion: Predominately Muslim. Modern history: Situated between Europe and Africa and with coastal and desert regions, Morocco has experienced a wide variety of influences including a period under French rule from 1912 to 1956. Cultural influences come from African, Arabic, Berber and European sources.

Morocco joined the African Union (AU) in 2017, having left the AU’s predecessor over that body’s recognition of the independence of Western Sahara. Morocco believes the region is part of its territory and the dispute is unresolved. Morocco also disputes Spain’s right to several coastal enclaves.

Morocco is a kingdom and has been ruled by Mohammed VI since 1999. A new constitution was introduced after the “Arab Spring” of 2010, giving more powers to the prime minister and parliament. Huge investments into infrastructure are paying off. The country achieved an average capital investment rate of 34% between 2008 and 2018 (African Development Bank).