“The three major Royal initiatives, relating to the Rabat Atlantic African States Process, the initiative to facilitate Sahel countries' access to the Atlantic Ocean, and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Initiative, are moving forward; and moving forward very well,” Mr. Bourita said.

He stressed that these Initiatives illustrate “through facts, the call that His Majesty the King has constantly made for a change of approach on the part of traditional partners towards the African continent,” recalling that “Africa needs less assistance, and more mutually beneficial partnerships.”

Morocco’s continued and consistent commitment to Africa was reaffirmed in Sochi by Mr. Bourita, who also highlighted the Sovereign’s African policy which remains exceptional in its kind, given that it is primarily driven by a vision for Africa’s development, with a human-centered approach, geared towards African solutions to local challenges and supported by active, solidarity-based and effective South-South cooperation.

In line with the Royal Vision, the Minister emphasized that “what Africa truly needs are structuring projects for human and social development,” adding that “Africa's best partner is the one who knows better than others how to support its momentum, address its gaps and enhance its potential.”