Casablanca – The Dakhla Atlantic Port in Morocco has garnered significant attention recently, highlighted by CNN for its pivotal role as a key regional trade hub and a transformative project driving African connectivity. The port’s potential to catalyze economic growth and enhance international commerce was underscored in the report, positioning it as one of Africa’s largest infrastructure undertakings aimed at facilitating trade and communications between Africa and global markets. According to CNN, this project represents a strategic leap forward in strengthening regional integration and fostering economic development across the continent.

CNN emphasized the substantial volume of goods flowing through African ports, reaching 1.3 billion tonnes in 2021 alone. The Dakhla Atlantic Port aims to enhance this trade flow by leveraging its strategic location and modern infrastructure. Nisrine Iouzzi, Director of Development at the port, highlighted its role as a gateway from Morocco to Africa, enhancing connectivity and trade links with West and East African countries. The port’s planned capacity to handle up to 35 million tonnes of goods annually underscores its potential as a major trade facilitator.

Moreover, the Dakhla Atlantic Port aligns with continental initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area, aimed at boosting intra-African trade and fostering economic growth through a unified market for goods and services. CNN concluded by emphasizing that the Dakhla Atlantic Port is not merely a construction project but a strategic investment in Africa’s economic future, offering new opportunities for growth, development, and enhanced economic integration.

 According to the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment and Water, the Port of Dakhla is a transformative initiative aimed at driving economic, social, and industrial development across diverse sectors in the region. With an estimated construction cost of approximately $1.03 billion, this project encompasses a comprehensive array of infrastructure elements designed to support ambitious growth plans.

In its initial phase, the project includes a 1200-meter-long crossing bridge and extensive protective barriers spanning 6700 meters. The port will feature a commercial area with multi-purpose docks totaling 600 meters in length, boasting a hydro depth of 16 meters. Additionally, it will house an oil station and specialized service dock.

Furthermore, a dedicated fishing port will offer 1650 meters of docks with a hydro depth of 12 meters, complemented by expansive flat land areas covering 28.8 hectares. The port will also accommodate ship repair activities with 200-meter-long docks and 8.6 hectares of flat land.

These ambitious plans underscore the strategic vision behind the Port of Dakhla, aiming to enhance regional connectivity, facilitate inland navigation with neighboring West African countries, and leverage the area’s natural resources for sustainable economic development.