Former Algerian Ambassador Ammar Belani has issued a warning regarding Morocco's efforts to establish a trade corridor to West Africa, describing it as a maneuver to disrupt an Algerian project. Belani stated that Morocco is rehabilitating and expanding the road connecting Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, linking it to the Dakhla Oued Ed-Dahab and Guergarat route. A framework agreement was signed on September 21 in Rabat to advance these efforts.
Belani said the framework agreement "gains special significance given the talk of its extension towards 'Kilometer Point 55' opposite Guergarat," noting that Moroccan Minister of Equipment Nizar Baraka spoke about "linking Nouakchott and occupied Dakhla via this route." He added, "The intensification of Moroccan investments in roads, ports, and infrastructure in this region cannot be separated from the competition for future trade corridors." Belani characterized the Moroccan move as a "maneuver aimed at disrupting the Algerian project and attracting part of the trade movement heading towards West Africa." He also noted the role of Emirati entities like "Abu Dhabi Ports" and "DP World" in expanding presence in ports and logistical corridors. According to Belani, "The convergence of Emirati capital and expertise...with Moroccan projects...adds an additional dimension to the move towards West Africa, making Mauritania a main transit point." He concluded that Moroccan and Emirati movements should be read "within a broader competition to draw trade routes to West Africa."
Morocco's Expanding Road Network
The agreement involves the rehabilitation and expansion of National Road "No. 4." There is discussion of extending this road to "Kilometer Point 55" opposite Guergarat, according to reports. Moroccan Minister of Equipment Nizar Baraka previously stated plans to link Nouakchott and occupied Dakhla via this route. Rabat is attempting to establish a corridor from occupied Dakhla and Guergarat, extending through Mauritanian territory to Nouakchott and onward to West Africa. This initiative aims to connect Moroccan commercial and logistical projects to broader African markets. Ammar Belani links the road project to Morocco's larger project for the occupied Dakhla port. The occupied Dakhla port project, estimated to cost around $1 billion, is expected to become operational in 2028. This port is viewed as a maritime extension of the land corridor Morocco is developing towards the south and West Africa.
Regional Competition and Algerian Project
Algeria is developing its own land corridor towards Mauritania and West Africa. Moroccan investments in roads, ports, and infrastructure in the region are linked to competition for future trade corridors, according to former Algerian Ambassador Ammar Belani. Belani views the Moroccan move as a maneuver aimed at disrupting the Algerian project and attracting part of the trade movement heading towards West Africa. These Moroccan projects are also connected to Morocco's "Atlantic Initiative" for Sahel countries. The initiatives are linked to the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline project. Belani asserts that Moroccan and Emirati actions are part of a broader competition to draw trade routes to West Africa. The Moroccan project attempts to impose a parallel route to the Algerian corridor. Moroccan and Emirati efforts ultimately aim to rearrange trade and logistical corridors throughout the region.
Emirati Involvement and Mauritanian Position
Abu Dhabi announced the allocation of $2 billion in 2020 for investment and development projects within Mauritania. Abu Dhabi also provided a soft loan to Mauritania, with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development contributing to financing road infrastructure projects there. Ammar Belani stated that "The convergence of Emirati capital and expertise in ports and logistics services with Moroccan projects in roads and ports adds an additional dimension to the move towards West Africa, making Mauritania a main transit point in the network of corridors being built."
Belani questions Mauritania's neutrality in the Western Sahara issue, citing growing economic cooperation and infrastructure links with Moroccan initiatives. Mauritania's geographical location positions it as a key link in any land corridor connecting Morocco to West Africa. These dynamics, according to Belani, raise questions about Mauritania's position and the limits of its neutrality regarding the Western Sahara issue.
Strategic Implications for Trade Routes
The broader competition to redefine trade routes to West Africa underlies the current developments. Morocco's strategy involves establishing a corridor from Dakhla Oued Ed-Dahab and Guergarat, extending through Mauritania to Nouakchott and further into West Africa. This initiative directly competes with Algeria's own land corridor project aimed at Mauritania and West Africa. The involvement of Emirati entities like Abu Dhabi Ports and DP World, coupled with significant Emirati capital directed towards Mauritania, further intensifies this regional contest for influence over key logistical pathways. This dynamic notes the strategic importance of Mauritania as a transit point for future trade.