Morocco and Algeria compete for regional trade dominance

Morocco and Algeria are engaged in growing competition to establish dominant trade corridors and logistics hubs connecting the Maghreb to West Africa and the Sahel.

In the terrestrial sector, former Algerian diplomat Amar Belani noted that Morocco is accelerating infrastructure projects toward Mauritania. A recent framework agreement between Morocco and Mauritania to expand the RN4 road is viewed as a strategic move to create a continuous land link from Dakhla to Nouakchott. This aims to compete with Algeria’s Tindouf-Zouérate corridor, which is designed to facilitate trade between Algeria and West African markets.

In the maritime sector, Morocco is developing the Nador West Med port on the Mediterranean coast. Expected to be completed by the end of the decade, the project aims to become a major logistics and energy hub, relieving pressure on the Tanger Med port. This development contrasts with Algeria’s El Hamdania deep-water port project, which has faced multiple delays and is currently undergoing a thorough re-examination by Algerian authorities.