Samantha Power, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has praised Morocco’s significant strides in energy transition and its role as a catalyst for regional green economy transformation. This commendation was made during the introduction ceremony of the new USAID Mission Director to Morocco, Randy Ali, held on Friday in Washington, in the presence of Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani.
Power highlighted Morocco’s capabilities in fertilizer production and export, as well as its dynamic approach to generating over one-third of its electricity from renewable sources. The Kingdom aims to increase this share to 52% by 2030, a target that positions Morocco as a leader not only in the region but also globally.
Reflecting on her recent visit to Morocco, Power expressed admiration for the country’s “extraordinary” determination to continue progressing and developing. She also emphasized the strong partnership between USAID and Morocco, noting that since 2021, the USAID Mission in Morocco has more than doubled the percentage of funding allocated to local organizations, rising from 16% in 2021 to nearly 40% in 2023.
Ambassador Amrani celebrated the “exceptional and longstanding” cooperation between USAID and Morocco, highlighting the crucial role of USAID programs in education, water management, public health, microfinance, and women’s empowerment. He also pointed out the potential to further strengthen this active cooperation in priority areas such as food security and water management.
Regionally, Amrani emphasized the relevance of developing more trilateral projects in Africa, building on recent initiatives in partnership with the OCP Group in the agricultural sector. He outlined the key components of Morocco’s public policies designed to catalyze, support, and deepen development dynamics in various strategic sectors. These strategies stem from a vision promoted at the highest level by King Mohammed VI, which places human development at the core of efforts to enhance inclusive prosperity, both nationally and across the African continent.
During the ceremony, British Robinson, Coordinator of the Prosper Africa initiative, and Randy Ali, the new USAID Mission Director in Rabat, expressed their commitment to supporting Morocco’s efforts in energy transition, water resource management, agriculture, and women’s empowerment. Ali also mentioned his intention to contribute to strengthening Moroccan leadership in Africa by financing strategic and targeted projects, particularly in areas such as food security and health.
