The MoU, signed on Wednesday between the African Chamber of Commerce and Services (CACS), the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco (CFCIM), and the Es-Semara City Council, seeks to position the Western Sahara city as a strategic gateway connecting Morocco to the Sahel and broader sub-Saharan Africa.

The agreement, witnessed by government officials, diplomats, and business leaders, underscores a “shared commitment to strengthening Africa’s economic and cultural appeal through cooperation and innovation.”

Under the terms, the three institutions will collaborate on joint initiatives to promote Es-Semara’s territorial marketing, enhance its logistics and investment attractiveness, and develop human capital.

They will also organise B2B forums, investment seminars, and trade missions to stimulate business linkages across the continent.

A key feature of the agreement includes the establishment of a CACS branch in Es-Semara focused on African cooperation and South-South partnerships, alongside a CFCIM office to facilitate investor support and SME development.

The partnership between the Banjul City Council and the Es-Semara City Council will forge a new bond of international cooperation and shared growth. [x, formerly Twitter/@LoweMayor]

The partnership between the Banjul City Council and the Es-Semara City Council will forge a new bond of international cooperation and shared growth. [x, formerly Twitter/@LoweMayor]

According to the organisers, this initiative supports King Mohammed VI’s vision for sustainable growth in Morocco’s southern regions. This blueprint aligns with Africa’s broader ambition for regional value chains and economic sovereignty.

The project also aims to make Es-Semara a model for inclusive development, bridging trade between North and sub-Saharan Africa and attracting investment from across the continent.

With the MoU’s implementation, Morocco hopes to elevate Es-Semara’s role as a centre for innovation and African integration.

This transformation could redefine the economic geography of the Western Sahara and amplify the continent’s influence in global trade.