Casablanca – Construction of Morocco’s Dakhla Atlantic Port has reached 75% completion, bringing the country closer to establishing a major maritime and logistics facility on its southern Atlantic coast. With an estimated investment of approximately $1.55 billion, the project is expected to become a central component of the economic development strategy for the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region and strengthen Morocco’s commercial connections with West Africa and the Sahel.

The port is scheduled to reach the end of its construction phase by the close of 2028, with operations expected to begin in 2029. Its progress comes as Morocco continues to invest in transport infrastructure, energy production and water facilities across its southern provinces, seeking to diversify regional economic activity and expand the role of these territories in international trade.

Reaching the 75% completion rate represents a significant stage in the construction programme. However, the port’s long-term economic contribution will depend on what follows the completion of the physical infrastructure, including the arrival of shipping companies, port operators, industrial investors and logistics providers. Establishing regular maritime services and attracting businesses capable of using the facility will be essential to translating the investment into sustained commercial activity.

The project has been designed as more than a conventional port. It forms part of a wider development programme intended to transform Dakhla into an integrated centre for maritime transport, trade, industrial activities and investment. Its location on the Atlantic coast gives it potential to serve commercial routes linking Morocco with African markets and international destinations.

The port is also closely connected to Morocco’s Atlantic initiative, which seeks to improve access to the ocean for landlocked countries in the Sahel. These countries face geographical and infrastructure constraints that increase the cost and complexity of international trade. Providing them with access to Atlantic ports through improved transport and logistics corridors could offer additional routes for imports and exports, while creating opportunities for closer economic cooperation with coastal countries.

For Morocco, the initiative has both economic and regional dimensions. Improved connections between Dakhla and the Sahel could increase trade flows, encourage investment in transport and storage facilities and support the development of supply chains extending beyond national borders. The port could therefore become part of a wider network connecting the Atlantic coast with markets in West Africa and the African hinterland.

A major feature of the project is its connection with an integrated economic zone covering approximately 1,650 hectares. Around 650 hectares are allocated to port-related activities, while a further 1,000 hectares are intended for economic and investment projects. This structure is designed to create an environment in which maritime transport can support industrial production, processing, storage and distribution.

The economic zone is expected to attract investment in several activities, including seafood processing, renewable energy, green hydrogen, logistics and storage. These sectors reflect the region’s existing economic resources as well as opportunities linked to the global transition towards lower-carbon energy systems.

Seafood processing is among the activities that could benefit directly from the new infrastructure. Dakhla and its surrounding area have important fishing resources, but the economic value generated by these products depends partly on processing capacity, storage conditions and access to export markets. Improved port facilities could make it easier for businesses to handle larger volumes, preserve product quality and transport goods more efficiently.

The development of processing facilities could also increase the share of value retained within the region. Rather than relying mainly on the shipment of raw products, businesses could expand activities such as packaging, freezing and other forms of processing before goods reach international markets. Such developments would require private investment, technical expertise and reliable transport services, but they could support employment and diversify local economic activity.

Agriculture is another sector that could benefit from improved logistics. Producers in southern Morocco depend on efficient transport and storage arrangements to deliver goods to domestic and foreign markets. Better maritime connections could provide additional export options, although the impact would depend on the types of products handled, shipping schedules and the competitiveness of transport costs.

Renewable energy and green hydrogen are also part of the port’s longer-term economic objectives. Morocco has been developing its renewable energy capacity as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthen its position in emerging energy markets. Dakhla’s Atlantic location and available renewable energy resources could support projects involving the production and export of green hydrogen and related products.

The port’s economic zone is expected to provide space for activities connected to green ammonia and other lower-carbon fuels. These products could serve industrial and maritime customers seeking alternatives to conventional energy sources. Their development, however, will require substantial investment in production facilities, electricity supply, water resources, storage and export infrastructure. Commercial viability will also depend on international demand, production costs and the development of appropriate transport networks.

The possibility of attracting downstream manufacturing activities, including projects linked to green steel, is another element of the wider development vision. Such projects could help connect renewable energy production with industrial activity, but they would require long-term investment commitments and access to competitive energy and raw materials.

The port is also part of a broader infrastructure programme in the southern provinces. One of its most important connections is the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, which is intended to improve road access between the region and the rest of Morocco. The road network will be important for moving goods between production areas, industrial facilities and the port, as well as supporting commercial exchanges with other parts of the country.

The relationship between maritime and road infrastructure will be particularly important for the port’s logistics performance. A modern maritime facility cannot operate efficiently without reliable connections to inland markets and production centres. Transport costs, delivery times, customs procedures and the availability of storage facilities will all influence whether businesses choose to use Dakhla as an export or import gateway.

The port’s development also needs to be considered alongside investments in renewable energy and seawater desalination. Water availability is an important factor for several of the activities targeted by the economic zone, particularly food processing, industrial production and green hydrogen. Desalination projects could help address some of these requirements, although their contribution will depend on production capacity, distribution infrastructure and operating costs.

For the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, the expected benefits extend beyond maritime trade. The project is intended to attract domestic and international investment, create direct and indirect employment and expand the range of economic activities available to local businesses and workers. Construction itself supports employment and demand for services, while the operational phase could generate longer-term opportunities in port management, transport, maintenance, warehousing and industrial processing.

The scale of these benefits will depend on the number and type of businesses established around the port. Infrastructure investment can create the conditions for economic growth, but it does not automatically guarantee that private companies will commit capital or that new facilities will operate at sufficient capacity. Investors will assess access to markets, energy and water costs, administrative procedures, workforce availability and the reliability of logistics services before making decisions.

The attraction of shipping companies will be particularly important. Regular maritime connections are necessary to make the port commercially useful for exporters and importers. Without sufficient cargo volumes and competitive shipping services, businesses may continue to rely on established ports and transport routes elsewhere in Morocco or abroad.

Port operators and logistics companies will therefore have a central role in the transition from construction to commercial activity. Their participation will help determine the range of services available, the efficiency of cargo handling and the ability of the facility to meet the requirements of international trade. The development of warehouses, distribution centres and supporting services will also influence the port’s capacity to attract industrial investment.

The project is advancing within the framework of Morocco’s long-term development strategy for its southern provinces, launched in 2015 to expand infrastructure, attract investment and encourage economic activity across the region. Dakhla Atlantic Port is one of the largest projects under this programme, reflecting the focus on strengthening transport connections and creating new opportunities for regional growth.

Its progress also reflects Morocco’s effort to strengthen its position along the Atlantic coast and develop infrastructure capable of supporting trade with African markets. The country has invested in ports, roads, energy facilities and industrial zones as part of a strategy to improve its connections with international supply chains. Dakhla is expected to complement these existing facilities by providing a new maritime gateway in the south.

With 75% of construction completed, attention is gradually shifting towards the preparations required for the port’s future operation. The remaining work will need to be completed before the scheduled opening in 2029, while the authorities and private sector will have to advance plans for port management, commercial services and investment in the surrounding economic zone.

The project’s importance will ultimately be measured by its ability to generate sustained economic activity rather than by construction progress alone. If it succeeds in attracting regular shipping services, industrial projects and logistics operators, Dakhla Atlantic Port could strengthen Morocco’s trade links with West Africa and the Sahel while supporting the diversification of the southern regional economy. Its development will therefore be closely watched as a test of how major infrastructure investment can translate into employment, private-sector activity and stronger integration into international markets.