Casablanca – OCP Group and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have entered a renewed phase of strategic collaboration aimed at supporting sustainable agricultural development and accelerating the shift toward low-carbon industrial systems. The two organizations signed a new five-year memorandum of understanding in Riyadh, reflecting their shared ambition to advance environmentally responsible growth across Africa and beyond.
The agreement formalizes a partnership that has evolved over several years, combining OCP’s industrial and scientific expertise with UNIDO’s mandate for inclusive and sustainable industrial development. At a time when global food systems and industrial supply chains face mounting pressure from climate risks, the cooperation seeks to deliver integrated solutions that respond to both economic and environmental needs.
A renewed partnership with expanded ambitions
The memorandum provides a framework for long-term cooperation across areas considered central to global development challenges: agricultural productivity, decarbonization, clean energy, and digital transformation. OCP and UNIDO plan to jointly support projects, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge-sharing programs that can be adopted by governments, businesses, and research institutions.
Both organizations emphasized that the agreement is designed to support countries seeking to modernize their development models while reducing environmental impact. It also aims to help emerging economies adopt technologies that can strengthen competitiveness and long-term resilience.
Decarbonization at the core: green hydrogen and green ammonia
A key focus of the partnership relates to clean energy, specifically the development of green hydrogen and green ammonia. These technologies are seen as essential for decarbonizing the fertilizer industry—where ammonia is a major input—as well as for supporting broader industrial applications.
OCP is already investing in renewable energy infrastructure and exploring pathways to transition fully to clean energy in its production processes. UNIDO, which supports global initiatives for industrial decarbonization, will contribute technical expertise and policy guidance to help advance these efforts.
The collaboration is expected to include feasibility studies, policy dialogue, and joint initiatives aimed at creating favorable conditions for investment in green energy value chains.
Strengthening agricultural value chains
Beyond energy, agricultural development remains a central pillar of the cooperation. The agreement aims to support integrated agricultural value chains that improve productivity, enhance soil health, and strengthen resilience to climate variability.
The partners intend to:
- support the modernization of agro-processing industries,
- expand access to sustainable plant nutrition solutions,
- promote precision agriculture tools,
- and assist smallholder farmers through improved training and technical guidance.
OCP’s experience in soil research, farmer advisory services, and digital agricultural platforms will be used to complement UNIDO’s programs in agribusiness development and rural industrialization.
Technology, innovation, and smart industrial zones
The memorandum also addresses the rapid technological changes reshaping global industry. The cooperation includes initiatives in Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, and automation, with the aim of helping developing countries adopt advanced manufacturing practices.
Another major component is the development of sustainable and intelligent industrial zones. These zones are expected to integrate renewable energy systems, digital management platforms, and circular economy principles. By improving industrial efficiency and reducing emissions, these zones can play a key role in creating environmentally responsible manufacturing hubs.
Building skills for a new economic landscape
Human capital development is highlighted as a cross-cutting priority. Both organizations recognize that the transition to greener and more technologically advanced industries requires a workforce equipped with new skills. Training programs, youth-focused initiatives, and partnerships with universities and vocational institutes are expected to support this objective.
The goal is to prepare future professionals for careers in renewable energy, sustainable industry, digital agriculture, and advanced manufacturing—fields that are becoming increasingly central to economic growth.
A shared commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth
The new agreement between OCP and UNIDO marks an important step in aligning industrial policy, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy development. As global challenges continue to intensify—ranging from climate impacts to supply-chain vulnerabilities—the partnership aims to deliver practical, scalable solutions.
Both organizations reaffirm that the cooperation is designed to support countries in building more resilient economies, reducing environmental impact, and fostering inclusive growth. By combining scientific expertise, policy support, and large-scale project implementation capacity, the partnership seeks to contribute to sustainable development goals and strengthen global value chains.
