Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade Riyad Mezzour presented Morocco's experience in creating industrial acceleration zones to the 57th session of the UNECA and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
Speaking at a round table on special economic zones in Africa, chaired by Morocco, Mezzour highlighted the factors behind the success of this experiment, including high-quality infrastructure and the delegation of management of these zones to their developers.
The success of special economic zones is based on the complete delegation of state authority to the zone's developer, the Minister noted, explaining that the latter is responsible for authorizing construction and economic activities, with strict rules to be respected.
This approach is designed to limit the risk of corruption, which is a major obstacle to attracting world-class investors, and to reassure international investors.
Concerning infrastructure, he cited the example of a factory recently set up in Morocco, which consumes as much electricity as a town of 500,000 inhabitants and as much water as a town of 100,000 inhabitants.
Mezzour also pointed out that his department devotes 40% of its budget to promoting industrial infrastructure, including access to power grids, water and wastewater treatment, noting that this approach aims to ensure that the needs of industrialists are covered without investors having to finance these essential facilities themselves.
The Minister also asserted that a special economic zone requires export-oriented industries, believing that at least 80% of activity in such zones must be export-oriented.
He also spoke of the importance of a quality Internet connection, which is also essential for companies operating in these zones.
Other speakers at the round table highlighted the success of the Moroccan experience in setting up industrial acceleration zones, thanks to various measures taken, notably in terms of infrastructure.
They pointed out that this experience could serve as a model for African countries wishing to set up special economic zones.
Morocco was unanimously elected to chair the 57th ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
In March 2026, the Kingdom will host the 58th ECA and the Conference of African Finance Ministers.
(MAP: 19 March 2025)
