Morocco has significantly deepened its political and economic ties across Africa in recent years, a strategy that analysts say is designed to expand its regional influence and counter its neighbor, Algeria. A cornerstone of this outreach has been Morocco's successful campaign to regain its seat in the African Union in 2017 after a 33-year absence, a move that shifted continental dynamics.
This diplomatic push is backed by substantial economic engagement. Moroccan banks, telecommunications firms, and construction companies have become major investors in West and Central Africa. The kingdom has also positioned itself as a key security partner for many African nations, particularly in the Sahel region, through counter-terrorism cooperation and training.
The expansion is widely seen as part of a long-standing and intense rivalry with Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front's claim for an independent Western Sahara. Morocco considers the territory its own. This fundamental dispute fuels competition for diplomatic recognition and alliances across the continent, with each nation vying to sway other African states to its position on the Sahara issue.
Recent developments, including Algeria's recall of its ambassador to Morocco in 2021 and the continued closure of their land border, underscore the persistent tension. Observers note that while Morocco's African strategy has yielded diplomatic gains, it has also solidified a bloc of regional competition, making broader Maghreb integration increasingly difficult.
