The French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu landed in Morocco for an official two-day visit, the first since assuming office in early 2025. This mission follows a historic message from King Mohammed VI to President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing the launch of a new era in bilateral relations. The visit is set to lay the groundwork for a future royal tour of France, where a landmark treaty formalizing this strengthened alliance will be signed.
Lecornu arrived in Rabat at the helm of a high-powered delegation of twelve ministers, including Jean-Noël Barrot (Foreign Affairs) and Laurent Nunez (Interior). The visit began with a private meeting with Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch, followed by a joint high-level session. The discussions concluded with the signing of multiple bilateral agreements spanning critical sectors such as economy, migration, justice, and defense.
Economic cooperation takes center stage
Trade and investment dominated the agenda, with both nations exploring co-development initiatives across Africa. Leveraging Morocco’s status as a leading logistics and financial hub, French and Moroccan businesses are eyeing joint ventures aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Kingdom’s booming intra-African exports—up 20.7% in 2025—and its integration into the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) provide a secure framework for expansion. Analysts highlight Morocco’s strategic port infrastructure, which is emerging as a vital alternative route amid geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, facilitating seamless trade flows between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Regional security remains a shared priority
Beyond economic ties, the visit underscored the deepening security collaboration between Paris and Rabat. Both governments stressed the urgency of addressing instability in the Sahel, where porous borders and escalating terrorist threats demand coordinated action. Enhanced security and migration cooperation is expected to solidify this exceptional partnership, elevating it to new heights.
