By: Julius Konton
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau has praised Morocco’s growing leadership role in Africa’s development, commending a series of strategic initiatives championed by King Mohammed VI aimed at strengthening regional integration, energy security, and economic transformation across the continent.
The endorsement came Monday during high-level bilateral talks in Rabat between Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities, Fatumata Jau.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, Guinea-Bissau hailed Morocco’s “visionary and transformative” African strategy, particularly highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts to deepen South-South cooperation and unlock new economic opportunities for African nations.
At the center of the discussions was the Atlantic African States Process, a diplomatic and economic platform launched by Morocco to unite Atlantic-facing African countries around common development priorities.
The initiative currently brings together over 23 African coastal states, stretching from North Africa to the Gulf of Guinea, representing a combined population of more than 400 million people and a collective GDP estimated at over US$700 billion.
Minister Jau described the initiative as a “geostrategic framework of immense potential,” noting that it creates new pathways for cooperation in maritime security, trade, blue economy, fisheries, and climate resilience.
Analysts say the Atlantic African States Process is becoming increasingly relevant as Africa seeks to capitalize on its 38,000 kilometers of coastline, which remain largely underutilized despite the continent handling approximately 90% of its international trade by sea, according to the African Union.
Guinea-Bissau also praised Morocco’s Royal Initiative to facilitate Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean, calling it a bold response to one of Africa’s most pressing geopolitical challenges.
The initiative seeks to provide landlocked Sahel nations including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad with expanded maritime access to boost trade, reduce logistics costs, and stimulate regional growth.
The World Bank estimates that landlocked African countries pay up to 50% more in transport costs compared to coastal states, a burden that significantly affects competitiveness and food security.
Another major highlight of the Rabat talks was the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, one of Africa’s largest energy infrastructure projects.
Stretching over 5,660 kilometers and projected to cost approximately US$25 billion, the pipeline is designed to transport Nigerian natural gas through 13 West African countries to Morocco and eventually Europe.
Once completed, the mega-project is expected to serve nearly 400 million people, improve electricity access across West Africa where more than 200 million people still lack reliable power and contribute to Africa’s energy transition.
Minister Jau described the pipeline as “an exemplary symbol of African solidarity and South-South cooperation,” emphasizing its potential to transform regional energy markets and industrial growth.
Morocco has increasingly positioned itself as a strategic gateway between Africa, Europe, and the Atlantic, expanding its diplomatic footprint across the continent.
Under King Mohammed VI, Rabat has signed over 1,000 cooperation agreements with African countries over the past two decades and has become one of the continent’s largest investors in banking, telecommunications, and renewable energy.
The growing partnership between Morocco and Guinea-Bissau reflects a broader continental shift toward African-led development solutions at a time when geopolitical competition, climate challenges, and energy insecurity continue to reshape the global order.
Observers say Monday’s discussions signal stronger momentum for regional integration and underscore Morocco’s rising influence in shaping Africa’s economic future.
