The French Development Agency (AFD) will invest in Morocco's Western Sahara
The French Development Agency (AFD) has announced that it will allocate 168 million dollars to Western Sahara in 2025-2026. The investment was announced on Monday following the first visit by AFD head Rémy Rioux to Rabat and Western Sahara, where he met with cabinet members and local authorities, according to an AFD statement.
Among those present were high-level representatives of the Moroccan government, regional authorities, technical and financial partners, as well as key members of institutions such as the Municipal Equipment Fund (FEC) and the Cherifian Office of Phosphates (OCP).
‘This gesture demonstrates the confidence of the international community, particularly strategic partners such as France, in the Moroccan model of inclusive development. A model based on economic growth, freedom, democratic participation and regional integration, particularly with the Atlantic, the Sahel and West Africa,’ writer and journalist Lahcen Haddad said on social media.
In Rabat, they met with the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita; and the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit. These meetings reaffirmed the AFD's support for the country's advanced regionalisation. To complete this work, an exchange is planned in Paris on 21 May with Mbarka Bouaida, President of the Regional Council of Guelmim-Oued Noun and of the Association of Moroccan Regions (ARM).
Meanwhile, in the Saharan city of Laayoune, they met with the wali of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, Abdeslam Bekrate; the president of the regional council, Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid; and the president of the municipal council, Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid. An exchange also took place with Mohammed Jifer, director of the Regional Investment Centre (CRI).
‘The resources will be used for works related to the environment and water supply, among other initiatives for social and economic development,’ said Rémy Rioux.
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron has shown his support for Morocco's sovereignty in this region of North Africa and has backed its proposal for autonomy as the only way out of the conflict.
But this is not the first time that investment treaties have been signed. In October last year, during his visit to Rabat, agreements totalling more than $10 billion were signed, in addition to establishing a cultural centre and a consular service to assist with visa applications from Western Sahara.
🇲🇦🇫🇷 Maroc-France: les moments forts de la visite du directeur général de l’AFD au Sahara marocainpic.twitter.com/KvlUBSHA6K
— Le360 (@Le360fr) May 12, 2025
In his speech to the Moroccan parliament during his visit to the kingdom last year, President Emmanuel Macron mentioned that French companies ‘will contribute to the development’ of Western Sahara, stating that its ‘past and future’ belong to ‘Moroccan sovereignty’. He promised ‘sustainable investments and support projects that will benefit local communities’.
Since 2020, Morocco has secured the support of the United States, the former colonial power in the area, Spain, other European nations, as well as Israel and more than two dozen African and Arab countries. In recent resolutions, the UN Security Council has urged the parties to negotiate a ‘political’ and ‘mutually acceptable’ solution to the standoff.
