Morocco at a Glance

An overview of Morocco, a North African country of about 37 million people just 14 km from Spain, and its strategy of becoming a manufacturing and logistics hub.

Morocco has about 37 million people.

Location

At the Strait of Gibraltar, only about 14 km from Spain.

Strategy

Morocco aims to be a bridge between Europe and Africa through:

Manufacturing, especially cars and aircraft parts.
Ports and logistics.
Renewable energy.

Traditional strengths

Phosphates.
Agriculture.
Tourism.

Trade deals

Morocco has agreements with the EU and a free trade agreement with the US (2006).

Challenges

Rural poverty, youth unemployment and droughts.

The ferry

Trucks cross by ferry from Tangier to Spain in about an hour, carrying Moroccan-made car parts and vegetables.

Thinking Morocco is only a tourist destination

It's an industrial hub too.

Key takeaways

Morocco has about 37 million people.
It's about 14 km from Spain.
It aims to be a Europe-Africa bridge.
Droughts and youth jobs are challenges.