Morocco and China are entering a new phase of bilateral cooperation with the launch of a multimodal logistics corridor linking Chengdu, China, to Tangier, Morocco, aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries and the wider African continent.
The corridor forms part of a broader initiative under China’s Chengdu–Europe–Africa logistics axis, according to Africa Supply Chain Mag, a specialized African logistics publication. A freight train carrying agricultural products from Sichuan Province has departed Chengdu, heading to Morocco via Poland, Germany, and Spain’s Port of Barcelona, from where goods will be shipped to Morocco by sea.
This marks the third multimodal route from Chengdu to Africa, following previous corridors via Hamburg and Nansha, and the first direct connection integrating a China-Europe rail link with maritime transport in the Mediterranean, potentially establishing regular maritime service to Tangier and Casablanca.
Lower Costs, Greater Market Access
The corridor is expected to reduce shipping costs, improve delivery reliability, and facilitate access to markets in North Africa and Southern Europe, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which spans a consumer base of 1.7 billion people.
According to a Moroccan export sector official speaking to Hespress AR on condition of anonymity, “China is betting on growing demand for its food products across Africa and sees Morocco as a strategic gateway to both African and European markets.”
While Chinese exporters are set to benefit immediately, Moroccan exporters could tap into the corridor’s potential in the medium term as part of efforts to balance trade with Asia, the official added.
Strategic Expansion into West Africa
Commenting on the development, Nasser Bouchiba, president of the Africa-China Cooperation Association for Development, noted that the initiative reflects China’s long-term pivot towards West and Francophone Africa, particularly as it diversifies trade routes away from reliance on the U.S. market following the 2008 global financial crisis.
“The corridor leverages Morocco’s port infrastructure, especially the Tangier Med port, and its geopolitical positioning to anchor China’s footprint in Atlantic Africa,” Bouchiba told Hespress AR.
He pointed to the corridor’s potential to boost bilateral trade, citing Moroccan exports to China, which reached $1.3 billion by the end of 2024, largely comprising manufactured goods.
A Model for South–South Cooperation
Bouchiba emphasized that this corridor underscores Morocco’s rising role as a continental logistics hub, driven by its stable political climate, advanced infrastructure, and skilled labor force. He urged Moroccan exporters to explore opportunities in the Chinese market, which remains underexploited by many African producers.
“This is not just a logistical project, it’s a geostrategic move,” Bouchiba said. “It lays the groundwork for deeper Sino-African cooperation, with Morocco positioned at its center.”
The initiative also aligns with Morocco’s Digital 2030 strategy and its ambitions to attract global supply chains while working to narrow its trade deficit with key partners, including China.
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