Morocco Showcases Southern Provinces’ Blue Economy Potential at Portugal’s Oeiras Bluetech Ocean Forum 2025

Oeiras, Portugal | July 24, 2025 —
Morocco took center stage at the Oeiras Bluetech Ocean Forum 2025, held from July 21 to 23 in Oeiras, Portugal. The high-level event focused on maritime innovation, port decarbonization, and transcontinental cooperation, drawing institutional leaders, business stakeholders, international experts, and partners from Europe, Africa, and Asia.

As a key voice for the African continent, Morocco emphasized the opportunities and challenges of developing the blue economy in Africa. This participation came amid strengthening bilateral ties between Rabat and Lisbon, recently highlighted by Portugal’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara—recognized globally as the most serious and credible basis for resolving the regional conflict.

Spotlight on the Southern Provinces

Mohammed Jifer, Director of the Laâyoune Regional Investment Center, presented the economic opportunities in Morocco’s southern provinces, particularly in aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and port development. He emphasized these projects are rooted in Morocco’s New Development Model, launched in 2016 under the guidance of King Mohammed VI, aimed at ensuring institutional stability and an investor-friendly environment.

Sarra Sefrioui, Professor of Maritime Law at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tangier, outlined Morocco’s strategic vision for a sustainable blue economy. She highlighted the country’s secure legal framework, aligned with international maritime conventions, and reinforced by robust cooperation agreements—particularly with the European Union. She further underlined the southern provinces’ emerging role as a geo-economic hub, connecting West Africa, Europe, and China and facilitating long-term trade and investment.

Limam Bousif, CEO of Techla Frigo in Dakhla, showcased the ambitious Dakhla Atlantic Port, one of the flagship projects of the Southern Development Model. With an investment exceeding 12 billion dirhams, this next-generation infrastructure integrates renewable energy solutions, decarbonized maritime corridors, and green fuel production. The port embodies Morocco’s vision of equipping its Atlantic regions with modern, sustainable, and interconnected infrastructure, aligning with the national goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

A Respected International Partner

Morocco’s participation was described as remarkable by the event organizers, who hailed the Kingdom as one of Portugal’s most dynamic international partners, alongside China and the Netherlands. The Moroccan delegation’s presence reinforced the country’s rising influence in global maritime innovation and sustainable development.