The Alliance of Sahel States formally endorsed Morocco’s Atlantic economic corridor initiative last month.
The decision upends West Africa’s trade patterns.
The landlocked bloc might now gain access to unprecedented maritime trade pathways.
Landlocked Nations Find New Path to Global Markets
The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger travelled to Rabat in late April for high-level talks with King Mohammed VI.
These countries, governed by military juntas after recent coups, reaffirmed their “full adherence” to Morocco’s vision for creating an Atlantic corridor.
For AES members, this agreement arrives at a decisive time.
After withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States earlier this year, these countries endured mounting isolation and economic constraints.
The Moroccan lifeline provides them a chance to escape these limitations.
"At a time when we faced political and economic confinement under immense pressure, Morocco understood our situation," Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré told reporters, describing the initiative as "a godsend" for the landlocked nations.
Mauritania’s Necessary Role in the Strategic Corridor
While much attention centres on Morocco’s stewardship, Mauritania’s location as the geographic link between the Maghreb and Sahel stands indispensable to the success of this ambitious plan.
The country’s existing port infrastructure at Nouakchott and Nouadhibou already handles over 5.2 million tons of cargo annually.
Rather than establishing competing systems, specialists propose Morocco and Mauritania could craft complementary port specialisations, creating an interconnected maritime gateway suited to different market segments.
This would transform the entire coastal region into an economic powerhouse.
Mauritania treads cautiously, though. The country must navigate intricate regional affairs, specifically regarding Morocco-Algeria connections, while safeguarding its own interests in emerging trade routes.
Beyond Infrastructure: An Evolving Economic Vision
The Atlantic Initiative embodies far more than mere port access.
Morocco’s thorough method incorporates multimodal transport networks, energy infrastructure, and industrial development zones extending across the Sahel.
At the core of this vision sits the $1.2 billion Dakhla Atlantic Port project, poised to become operational by 2029. This deep-water facility will process massive cargo volumes, acting as the main gateway for Sahelian exports to global markets.
Energy development constitutes another foundation of the strategy. The African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a $25 billion project, would connect Nigeria to Morocco through multiple West African countries.
AAGP promises to revamp energy access across the region.
The project could generate new manufacturing and processing zones along its route.
Geopolitical Chess: ECOWAS Influence Wanes as AES Rises
The Atlantic agreement is a big deal, diplomatically and economically speaking. For ECOWAS, the loss of three member states to this new alliance deals a severe blow to its regional influence and collective leverage.
This development holds particular implications for Ghana, a key ECOWAS economy.
For decades, Ghana’s Tema and Takoradi ports have served as transit hubs for landlocked Sahelian economies.
The Atlantic corridor threatens to redirect these trade flows, potentially reducing Ghana’s port traffic and affecting revenue from logistics and transit services.
Enduring impact of Algeria-Morocco Friction
The Morocco-led initiative inevitably sharpens tensions with Algeria too.
Algeria has cut diplomatic ties with Rabat and backs the Polisario Front, which challenges Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Relations between AES and Algeria have deteriorated sharply in recent months.
In April, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso recalled their ambassadors from Algiers following accusations that Algerian forces shot down a Malian drone near their shared border.
By drawing AES members into closer partnership, Morocco strengthens its position in this long-running regional rivalry and potentially limits Algeria’s historical influence in the Sahel.
Practical Roadblocks Amid Grand Visions
Ambitious as it may be, the plan runs up against serious shoals to implement.
The complexity of coordinating a $25 billion gas pipeline alongside major port and transport infrastructure requires sophisticated management mechanisms and sustained political commitment.
No clear roadmap or timeline has yet emerged for the initiative.
Success will depend on developing technical capacity, ensuring financial sustainability, and maintaining security along transport corridors spanning thousands of kilometres across politically fragile regions.
Expanding “last-mile” infrastructure within participating countries also presents a formidable challenge. Without these connections, the benefits of improved coastal access may fail to reach inland communities.
Economic Benefits for Landlocked States
For Mali, whose economy relies heavily on gold, cotton, and livestock exports, reduced transport costs could transform the competitiveness of its mining and agriculture sectors.
As Morocco’s third-largest investment destination in Africa, Mali exemplifies the potential for deeper economic integration.
Niger’s uranium and crude oil sectors stand to gain from improved export routes. Current limitations on port access have severely hampered the country’s ability to capitalise on its natural resources.
The initiative offers not just alternative trade routes but opportunities for developing new industrial capabilities.
Similar benefits await Burkina Faso, where gold and cotton exports could reach global markets more efficiently.
Enhanced energy access would foster value-added activities within the agricultural sector, potentially transforming Burkina Faso’s position in regional value chains.
Western Interests and International Support
The initiative aligns with broader Western interests in the region, especially as traditional powers like France lose influence.
Morocco, a key Western partner, may secure international financial backing for these ambitious projects.
The United States has long supported Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently confirmed Washington "stands ready to facilitate the next steps towards a definitive solution," signalling potential American backing for Morocco's regional leadership.
In December, Morocco mediated the release of four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso.
It was shortly after Paris recognised Morocco's sovereignty over the territory.
A New Regional Order?
As the Atlantic Initiative moves from vision to reality, it promises to redraw the economic map of West Africa.
Morocco’s expanding economic footprint across Africa – from $300 million to over $3 billion in exports over two decades – underpins the potential for new models of regional integration.
Whether its initiative fulfils its promise depends on sustained political commitment and practical cooperation among all stakeholders.
For the landlocked Sahel confederation, the Atlantic access offers a rare opportunity to overcome geographic disadvantages that have constrained development for generations.
As King Mohammed VI himself noted, the problems facing African nations “will not be solved by security and military measures alone, but rather by an approach based on cooperation and shared development.”
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