Rabat– Morocco’s General Confederation of Enterprises (CGEM) has reaffirmed its commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) during the Marrakech Business Forum.
Speaking at the second edition of the AfCFTA Business Forum, CGEM Vice President Mehdi Tazi emphasized the transformative potential of the agreement for the continent. He called for accelerated reforms to build a more competitive and sovereign Africa, highlighting Morocco’s readiness to play a leading role alongside Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour.
“Africa is undergoing unprecedented demographic and urban transformation,” Tazi said, noting the continent’s growing demand for infrastructure, industrial goods, modern services, and, most critically, employment opportunities for its young population. “Yet structural weaknesses remain: industrialization is limited, and intra-African trade stagnates below 15%,” he added.
For Tazi, the AfCFTA offers a historic opportunity to address these imbalances. The agreement, he explained, is key to developing a competitive “Made in Africa” brand that leverages local resources, strengthens regional value chains, and generates much-needed jobs for African youth.
To ensure the effective implementation of this continental market, CGEM outlined several priority action areas. These include developing logistics and energy infrastructure, enhancing financing mechanisms for SMEs, bridging the digital gap through technology and innovation, promoting the free movement of people, strengthening targeted skills training, and boosting communication to inform businesses of AfCFTA opportunities.
Praising the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI in promoting regional integration, Tazi underscored Morocco’s strategic position as the backbone of AfCFTA. The country has evolved into a robust platform for the “Made in Africa” initiative, leveraging its advanced infrastructure, extensive air connectivity, presence of financial institutions in 26 African countries, and a strong continental investment ecosystem.
Concluding his remarks, CGEM reaffirmed its full commitment to implementing high-impact industrial and economic projects in close collaboration with African business leaders and development partners. The initiative is part of a broader vision of co-development, aiming to build a more sovereign, competitive, and self-determined Africa.