Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leïla Benali, showcased the country’s significant strides in improving electricity access during the African Energy Summit “Mission 300,” held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 27–28.
Speaking to an audience of African heads of state, policymakers, and energy experts, Benali emphasized Morocco’s achievements in rural electrification, renewable energy investments, and regional energy connectivity. She also highlighted the country’s strategic initiatives to support global energy transition efforts.
“The rural electrification rate in Morocco has reached an impressive 99.88%, marking a critical milestone in universal energy access,” she noted. Morocco’s progress reflects over three decades of experience attracting private capital to finance energy infrastructure, with the first independent power producer project launched in 1992.
This experience has enabled Morocco to develop bankable energy projects and establish win-win partnerships. Benali added that Morocco has significantly increased investments in renewable energy, multiplying annual investments in electricity grids by five and in energy production by three, including renewables.
The minister also stressed the importance of local content, with 30% of the components for these projects sourced from Moroccan industries.
On regional energy connectivity, Benali underlined Morocco’s commitment to strengthening cross-border infrastructure. She highlighted a recent memorandum of understanding with Mauritania to develop an electrical interconnection project, which aims to enhance energy integration, social stability, and political cohesion in the region.
Benali also discussed Morocco’s Atlantic Corridor initiative, designed to unlock Africa’s growth potential by linking Sahelian countries to the Atlantic Ocean. The corridor envisions providing modern energy access to 400 million Africans through integrated gas and electricity solutions.
Additionally, the minister positioned Morocco as a “global hub” for energy value chains, focusing on battery development, energy storage, and grid management solutions. She presented Morocco’s innovative “OTC” (Originate, Transit, Certify) project, which ensures that all energy produced in the country is certified as “green” and aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
The African Energy Summit, organized by the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the African Union, and the Tanzanian government, convened over 1,000 participants. The event aimed to chart a course for expanding electricity access to 300 million Africans, emphasizing reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.
During the visit, Minister Benali led a high-level Moroccan delegation to the summit, including Morocco’s Ambassador to Tanzania and the Comoros, Zakaria El Goumiri, and officials from the Ministry of Energy Transition.