Mounting calls for strengthening Morocco-South Africa economic partnerships

South African Businessmen and economic stakeholders have joined their voices to those of politicians and activists to call for consolidating economic partnerships between their country and Morocco, a rising economic power in Africa.

In this context, the CEO of Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA), the government agency of the Gauteng province in South Africa, Stembiso Dlamini, called from Rabat for enhanced economic collaboration between Morocco and South Africa.

“We believe that Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in the tourism sector and the automotive industry,” emphasized Ms. Dlamini during a panel discussion held on the sidelines of the Africa Forum Investment (AIF) held last week in Rabat, highlighting the need to encourage investments and develop skills, particularly through exchange programs.

Issues related to green energy and sustainability are also among the priorities that could strengthen collaboration, especially in the Gauteng province, she continued.

For his part, Saki Zamaxka, CEO of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), stated that “collaboration between Morocco and South Africa, particularly in the Gauteng region, which is considered the country’s largest economic region, can cover several sectors.”

“Morocco is active in tourism, renewable energy, industry, and financial services. We believe that exchanges can focus on these areas to further develop investment opportunities,” he said.

In the same context, Lebogang Maile, the Minister in charge of development and economy in the provincial government of the Gauteng region (which includes Johannesburg and Pretoria), noted that investments play a key role in accelerating growth.

The prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC-Gauteng), emphasized the importance of establishing the right conditions to encourage partnerships and foster shared prosperity between South Africa and its partners across Africa and the world.

The investments could cover various sectors, including infrastructure, industry, tourism, and cultural fields, he said, noting that this could contribute significantly to creating jobs, promoting interconnection, and building bridges between African countries.

In this regard, he called for upgrading cooperation, improving partnerships with the private sector, and establishing international collaborations to stimulate economic growth, and promote environmental management and social equity.
These calls have echoed the voice of several sections of the African National congress (ANC) which urged, in a recent memorandum, South Africa to strengthen relations with Morocco, and recognize the Kingdom’s invaluable support for the fight against apartheid, as well as the voice of several disgruntled South Africans who staged lately a protest outside the ANC Headquarters in Johannesburg to denounce the ruling party’s hostile diplomatic approach to Morocco, signaling a growing rift within South Africa’s politicians over relations with the North African Kingdom.

Teboho Maake, an activist who spearheaded the protest movement said: “We are dissatisfied over the ANC’s stance against Morocco, and there exists an urgent need for clarity on how we plan to develop our bilateral relationships with them.”