AfDB praises the leadership of King Mohammed VI

1. Morocco as an energy exporter
2. Moroccan infrastructures, an example to follow in Africa
3. In 2050, 30% of the population between 18 and 25 years of age will be African

Progress in Morocco's economic transformation since Mohammed VI's accession to the throne has not gone unnoticed. Thus, the president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, in a statement to the Moroccan news agency MAP, on the occasion of the upcoming celebration of Throne Day, affirmed that the influence of the Alawite monarch has boosted Morocco to the point of doubling its GDP since his accession to the throne.

Morocco's commercial and diplomatic developments have been far-reaching. From the creation and expansion of the use of renewable energies, to the signing of agreements and recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara, an action that is already supported by more than 100 countries.

Adesina stressed that Morocco is one of the countries that is making the most rapid progress, placing itself among the continent's leading powers. "His Majesty King Mohammed VI has been the builder of Modern Morocco for a quarter of a century," said the president of the continent's largest banking institution.

Morocco as an energy exporter

In his statements to MAP, Adesina stressed the importance of projects such as the Noor Ouarzazate plant, which is one of the largest solar panel complexes in the world. With a capacity of 1,600 megawatts (MW), it is among the most powerful installations in the world, second only to the complexes in China and India, whose plants occupy the top positions.

So many methods of energy production that the Noor Ouarzazate plant alone accounts for 10% of Morocco's total clean energy generation, which in turn accounts for 39% of total annual state energy production.

Full use of the plant has been a driving force, not only economically, but also in providing much of the energy needed by the country's industrial sector. With energy consumption per capita increasing, the importance of developing the energy sector is becoming increasingly strategic. 

Despite this increase, Morocco is a major energy exporter. Since 2016, the North African country has had an energy surplus, allowing it to sell its surplus to other countries. Moreover, since 2016, Morocco has been emitting less and less CO2, which shows that the use of renewable energies is palpable. 

Moroccan infrastructures, an example to follow in Africa

Adesina went beyond solar energy to highlight the role of the King in creating a country with the best infrastructures and projects that facilitate the arrival of investment and provide security and greater tourist attraction. The AfDB leader stressed that "pioneering projects, such as the Tangier Med project, or large wastewater treatment facilities, desalination plants and hydrographic projects of national character, embody this dynamism".

Not only did he admire the capacity of Moroccan industry to evolve, but he also praised the new high-speed railway lines, which are the most modern on the continent. With more than 3,000 kilometres of high-speed railways, Morocco is one of the countries with more and better railway infrastructures. 

In this sense, the president of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, called on other African countries to follow Morocco's example of development and attraction. 

Motorways and the national road network was another point raised by Adesina. In order to solve the problems of isolation suffered by rural areas, not only in Morocco, but throughout the continent, the AfDB leader confirmed that the path to follow is the one taken by the Moroccan administration.

In 2050, 30% of the population between 18 and 25 years of age will be African

With birth rates of more than 2.5 children per person, Africa is not only the fastest growing continent, it is also the continent that will have the most people between the ages of 18 and 25 by 2050. Specifically, more than 1 billion Africans will enter the global labour market. 

The proper development of this human capital will be the key to the continent's future. With better training, young people, especially those from North Africa, are increasingly present in Western markets. 

Every year, more than 2 million Africans of working age enter Europe and are increasingly receiving better training. In countries such as Belgium, France and the Netherlands, the number of African workers and students represents the highest percentage of all foreigners coming to these countries to continue their education or to enter the labour market. 

Part of the export of talent is due to Morocco's good diplomatic relations with Western countries. In addition, the arrival of more and more companies, favoured by the Investment Charter, has generated more links with European companies. 

Adesina concluded that "Morocco's successes in all these areas are the result of innovative sectoral strategies, effective structural reforms, increased diversification of production, cautious macroeconomic policies and a constantly evolving business climate".