Morocco and Nigeria have taken a significant step forward in strengthening their economic ties, as the Moroccan employers’ association CGEM and the Nigerian state of Ogun—a major industrial hub—signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at deepening trade, investment, and sectoral cooperation. The agreement, signed by Ali Zerouali, Vice President of CGEM’s Africa Commission, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, outlines a roadmap for joint development across a range of strategic industries.
The partnership is designed to foster collaboration in key sectors including agribusiness, energy, automotive manufacturing, infrastructure, education, and green technologies. It reflects a broader vision of African co-development, driven by shared ambitions between Morocco and Nigeria to build stronger economic bridges across the continent.
At its core, the deal promotes investment, innovation, and knowledge transfer between Moroccan companies and economic actors in Ogun. Agriculture, food processing, and agri-tech are among the top priorities, with both parties aiming to share best practices and develop integrated projects that deliver strong social and economic impact.
On the industrial side, the agreement includes support for the creation of new industrial parks, especially in the automotive sector—an area where Morocco has become a continental leader thanks to its growing expertise and advanced infrastructure. The energy component of the agreement focuses on expanding renewable energy use, including solar, wind, and hydro, in pursuit of long-term sustainability and shared energy security.
The deal also encompasses broader infrastructure development, with Moroccan investment encouraged in major projects such as roads, railways, ports, and housing. Education and workforce training are also high on the agenda, with plans for student exchanges, technical programs, and skill-building initiatives to help cultivate a new generation of African talent.
For Ali Zerouali, the agreement exemplifies Morocco’s approach to regional integration—an ambitious, collaborative model aligned with King Mohammed VI’s vision of South-South cooperation. He emphasized the importance of building regional value chains that are competitive globally and centered around high-impact sectors like agribusiness, energy, and industry.
Governor Abiodun praised Morocco’s achievements in education, industrialization, and technological development—particularly in the automotive and aerospace sectors—and expressed optimism about the transformative potential of Moroccan expertise in Ogun. With a special economic zone and a strong business climate already in place, he believes the partnership could help fast-track Ogun’s development.
Abiodun also pointed to promising opportunities in agriculture, especially around phosphate-based solutions—an area where Morocco is a global leader. He described the MoU as a concrete tool to attract investment, boost trade, and create long-term jobs in the region.
This agreement with one of Nigeria’s most dynamic states builds on the momentum initiated by King Mohammed VI’s landmark visit to Abuja in 2016. It signals a shared determination to move beyond diplomacy and into concrete, operational collaboration—linking Morocco’s industrial ecosystem with that of Africa’s largest economy.
Through strategic, targeted partnerships like this one, CGEM is reaffirming its commitment to African co-development. The goal is clear: unlock the power of complementary strengths, raise the capabilities of private sector actors, and build sustainable, competitive value chains that span the continent.
