A strategic roadmap for cross-border investment spotlights opportunities in agri-food, manufacturing, and distribution as both nations vie to bolster regional influence.
Rabat and Cairo are poised to strengthen their long-standing ties as the Morocco-Egypt Business Council finalises plans for a high-level Moroccan economic mission to Egypt from May 3–5, 2025, under the leadership of Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Omar Hejira. Co-presidents Ali Tazi of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and Nezar Ismaïl of the Egyptian Industrialists Association met with Ambassador Ahmed Nihad Abdellatif in Rabat to refine a joint roadmap that emphasises sustainable, balanced partnerships across priority sectors, including agri-food, automotive components, plastics manufacturing, textiles, and distribution. This initiative follows a recent bilateral pledge to introduce an Egyptian “Fast Track” system designed to streamline Moroccan exports into Egypt, reflecting a shared commitment to reducing non-tariff barriers and accelerating customs procedures.
The upcoming business forum in Cairo will convene Moroccan exporters and Egyptian importers for sector-specific roundtables, offering brands and investors direct access to new distribution networks in North Africa’s two largest markets. With Egypt projected to record 3.8% GDP growth in fiscal 2024/25—down marginally from earlier forecasts due to global tariff shocks, currency volatility, and regional tensions—this mission arrives at a crucial juncture for North African economies to diversify trade flows and shore up resilience. Morocco, for its part, has pursued an assertive industrialisation strategy that has seen rapid expansion in its automotive and phosphate-derived fertiliser exports, positioning itself as a gateway to both Europe and sub-Saharan markets.
For multinational brands and investors, the mission’s timing is significant. Egypt’s private-sector investments surged nearly 80% year-on-year amid broad economic reforms, while Morocco continues to enhance its logistics infrastructure and free-zone incentives to attract foreign direct investment. Automotive suppliers can tap into Morocco’s growing assembly clusters around Tangier and Kenitra, complementing Egypt’s established consumer-goods manufacturing hubs; agribusiness firms stand to benefit from joint ventures in value-added processing, leveraging Morocco’s advanced irrigation projects and Egypt’s expansive domestic market. Meanwhile, plastics and textiles producers can explore integrated supply chains that capitalise on lower labour costs and proximity to Mediterranean shipping routes.
Beyond immediate trade gains, the Morocco-Egypt council envisions deeper financial cooperation, including co-financing of infrastructure projects and harmonised regulatory standards to facilitate cross-border banking and investment funds. Both governments have underscored the importance of supporting SMEs through targeted export finance and risk-mitigation instruments, a critical consideration as small and medium-sized enterprises drive roughly 60% of employment in each economy. As regional value chains evolve under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), coordinated efforts between Morocco and Egypt could serve as a blueprint for intra-African integration, fostering scalable platforms for goods, services, and capital movement across the continent.
In an era of shifting global dynamics—marked by post-pandemic supply-chain realignments and rising protectionism—the forthcoming Cairo business mission represents a deliberate pivot toward regional collaboration. By forging strategic partnerships in high-growth sectors, streamlining export procedures, and aligning investment incentives, Morocco and Egypt aim not only to deepen their bilateral corridor but also to signal to brands and investors that North Africa is a consolidated gateway to both European and African markets. This mission thus offers a timely opportunity for stakeholders to secure first-mover advantages in projects that promise robust returns and long-term market access across two of Africa’s most dynamic economies.
