Building on its national achievements in developing the blue economy and continental initiatives to facilitate access to the Atlantic Ocean for landlocked African countries, Morocco was invited to share its vision for developing Africa’s maritime potential at the opening of the Third United Nations Conference on the Oceans on 9 June. For the King of Morocco, Mohamed VI, the challenge of developing the maritime potential of the African continent must be a collective one.
In a message read out by Princess Lalla Hasnaa, the King of Morocco, Mohamed VI, defended a shared vision for the development of Africa’s maritime potential at the ‘Africa for the Ocean’ panel held on 9 June 2025 in Nice, France, on the first day of the Third United Nations Conference on the Oceans. On a continental level, in addition to cooperating with coastal countries, Morocco is committed to providing access to the Atlantic Ocean for landlocked countries, particularly those in the Sahel, through the Royal Atlantic Initiative.
Our vision of an Atlantic Africa that makes the most of this ocean does not only involve the coastal countries; it also extends to the sister countries of the Sahel, which must be offered a structuring and reliable maritime outlet. It is in this same spirit of solidarity and shared prosperity that we have also initiated the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project as an energy interconnection corridor and a vector for new geo-economic opportunities in West Africa.
Princess Lalla Hasnaa, Representative of King Mohammed VI
With 3,500 kilometres of coastline and 1.2 million square kilometres of maritime space, Morocco is also leading several national projects to develop the blue economy. For King Mohamed VI, the oceans can be exploited sustainably, while guaranteeing territorial cohesion, food sovereignty, energy security and climate resilience.
The Kingdom has undertaken the construction of several structuring projects which have, in particular, redesigned the national port landscape, following the example of the large container port of Tangier Med and the future ports of Nador West-Med and Dakhla Atlantique, which will be supported by an impressive logistical and industrial ecosystem.
Princess Lalla Hasnaa, Representative of King Mohammed VI
Africa has over 30,000 kilometres of coastline and 38 coastal states, making it a maritime power. However, if it is to realise its full potential, it will have to face challenges such as insecurity, pollution and the climate crisis, which Africa is suffering without being the main culprit.
The effort must be collective, because the challenge is not just national: it is continental. It’s not enough to share an ocean. We have to think about it together, manage it together and defend it together.
Princess Lalla Hasnaa, Representative of King Mohammed VI
In this context, the King of Morocco is calling for a strategic review of Africa’s maritime role through the promotion of the blue economy, the strengthening of South-South cooperation and integration around ocean spaces, as well as the effectiveness of transatlantic synergies.
