On the 26th anniversary of the enthronement of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco in South Africa, Mr Mohammed Saadaoui, hosted a reception at his residence in Pretoria.
“Over the past quarter of a century, Morocco’s GDP has grown significantly from approximately 42 million dollars in 2000 to over 160 billion dollars in 2024,” said Mr Saadaoui.
Morocco has made remarkable progress in renewable energy. Currently, 40 percent of its electricity is generated from renewable resources, with a target of 52 percent by 2030. One billion acres of land have been dedicated to green hydrogen production to support the country’s energy transition. By 2030, Morocco’s high-speed train network will cover half of the country, offering efficient and affordable transport for both citizens and tourists. The Port of Tangier has become the largest port in Africa and the Mediterranean, while Morocco has also emerged as Africa’s leading automotive hub. Last year, the country produced more than 700 000 vehicles, including 40 000 electric cars. The goal is to reach two million vehicles annually by 2030.
In the tourism sector, Morocco is strengthening its position as a premier global destination. The Kingdom is preparing to host major international sporting events, including the Africa Cup of Nations in December 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2030, alongside Spain and Portugal. In 2024, Morocco welcomed 17 million tourists, a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year.
“Morocco has long recognised the importance of intra-African cooperation. Morocco is the second-largest African investor on the continent after South Africa, and over the past two decades, our trade with African partners has grown at an average annual rate of 9.5 percent,” Mr Saadaoui noted.
Diplomatic relations between Morocco and South Africa were established in 1991, with a trade balance currently in South Africa’s favour. South African investments in Morocco now average around three billion US dollars.
Mr Maesela Kekana, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, extended congratulations to the Kingdom of Morocco on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa.
“Between 2020 and 2024, exports to Morocco grew at an average rate of 130 percent, while imports from Morocco increased by 19 percent,” said Mr Kekana.
The evening concluded with guests enjoying authentic Moroccan cuisine, offering a taste of the Kingdom’s renowned hospitality and culture.
by Marion Kate
