Morocco leading North Africa’s revival
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Morocco leading North Africa’s revival
Sixteen years after the Arab Spring, North Africa is starting to find its feet.
By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions.
For many years North African countries tightly controlled their economies and foreign investment.
The Arab Spring rocked the boat, and parts of the North African region descended into chaos and instability.
But it does appear that 16 years later, North Africa is slowly finding its feet again.
Morocco a strategic gateway
Morocco has been at the forefront of the North African revival.
Over the last 10 years, Morocco has invested heavily in infrastructure, renewable energy, ports, logistics, manufacturing and education, while simplifying regulations and modernising its financial system.
Today, Morocco is a competitive gateway into Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Its strategic geography, trade agreements, political stability and long-term economic planning have turned it into a magnet for manufacturing, energy, agribusiness, tourism and technology investment.
Morocco launches an exploration tender
Earlier this week, Morocco launched a major tender for 361 exploration blocks spanning roughly 13,000 square kilometres in the mineral rich Tafilalet and Figuig Region close to the border of Algeria.
Tafilalet and Figuig is one of North Africa’s most geologically prospective and underexplored terrains. The region forms part of the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas geological provinces, renowned for hosting diverse mineral systems.
The basin hosts Mississippi Valley–type lead-zinc deposits, stratiform and vein-style copper mineralisation, and structurally controlled gold and silver systems.
It also contains economically significant barite, manganese, fluorite, iron, nickel, antimony, uranium, thorium, and tungsten.
Furthermore, the region hosts North Africa’s largest calamine (zinc oxide) province, with over 1 million tonnes of zinc ore historically produced.
The application deadlines in May 2026 and an Africa-focused ESG framework will guide the process.
WhyAfrica is planning to visit North Africa later this year during the 2026 WhyAfrica Road Trip through Africa. If you are interested in the North Africa, and especially Morocco, please give us a call.
Image: Traversing sand dunes in Morocco. Image credit: Ignacio Correia from Unsplash.
Morocco leading North Africa’s revival