Ogun State Signs Landmark MoU with Morocco on Power, Infrastructure, and Trade

Governor Abiodun Seeks Moroccan Partnership to Drive Economic Growth

The Ogun State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco (CGEM) to collaborate on power generation, education, housing, infrastructure, and port development.

Governor Dapo Abiodun signed on behalf of Ogun State, while Mr. Ali Zerouali represented the Moroccan delegation at a formal event held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The agreement marks a major step towards fostering economic ties between Nigeria and Morocco, leveraging Morocco’s success in technology, manufacturing, energy, and agriculture to drive industrial and economic transformation in Ogun State.

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Morocco’s Success Story to Inspire Ogun’s Development

Speaking at the signing event, Governor Dapo Abiodun highlighted Morocco’s economic transformation, noting its leadership in solar energy, electric vehicle production, and fertilizer manufacturing.

According to him, Morocco has signed 60 trade agreements worldwide and offers a 30% subsidy as an incentive for investors. The North African country has also transitioned from importing to exporting electric vehicles to Europe and is actively engaged in manufacturing parts for aircraft manufacturers.

Abiodun emphasized that Ogun State intends to learn from Morocco’s achievements, particularly in renewable energy, industrialization, and technological advancement.

“We hope that in our partnership, we can unlock all the potential and maximize it. We want to learn from you how you perfected hydro, solar, and gas energy, presenting the right mix that, of course, brings down the cost of energy,” the governor stated.

Boosting Agriculture, Industrialization, and Automobile Manufacturing

Governor Abiodun also identified agriculture, agribusiness, and agricultural technology as critical areas for collaboration, acknowledging Morocco’s leadership in fertilizer production and exportation.

He recalled Morocco’s plan to establish a massive fertilizer plant in Nigeria and expressed the desire to site the plant in Ogun State.

“Being an industrial state, we discussed manufacturing and industrial development, in which you’ve excelled. How do we partner? How do we learn from you so we are not starting from scratch? How do we develop technology together? How do we collaborate with companies in Morocco to bring the automobile industry to Ogun State, where we know that from here, you can easily ship vehicles to all other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?” Abiodun asked.

The governor further revealed plans to integrate Morocco’s expertise into Ogun’s Special Economic Zone at the Gateway International Airport, which will serve as a Free Trade Zone to attract manufacturing and agricultural companies.

Addressing Ogun State’s Power Challenges

Ogun State is a key industrial hub in Nigeria, yet it faces electricity supply challenges. Governor Abiodun noted that the state requires 6,000 to 7,000 megawatts to power its industries but struggles with generation capacity, distribution inefficiency, and transmission issues.

He expressed optimism that Morocco’s experience in power sector development could provide a workable solution under the Light Up Ogun Project.

“We have issues with generation capacity, we have issues with efficient and effective distribution, we have issues with transmission, and we know that you have succeeded in that area in Morocco. We discussed how we can collaborate to ensure we generate enough electricity for the state under our Light Up Ogun Project,” he added.

Strengthening Education, Infrastructure, and Housing

Governor Abiodun also highlighted technical and vocational education as another area of collaboration, noting that Ogun’s technical colleges need to be strengthened to train graduates for economic opportunities, similar to Morocco’s model.

On infrastructure, he discussed extending the Blue Line railway from Lagos to Ogun State, for which the state has already secured approval.

Additionally, Abiodun spoke about reviving the Olokola Deep Seaport project, which has been delayed for several years. He expressed optimism that Moroccan investment could accelerate its development, possibly through a temporary berth port in the short term.

The governor also emphasized the need for partnerships in housing development, citing that despite building 5,000 housing units, the state still requires significant investment to meet growing demands.

Morocco’s Commitment to Ogun’s Economic Growth

Speaking on behalf of the Moroccan delegation, Ali Zerouali affirmed his organization’s commitment to working with Ogun State in key economic sectors.

He expressed Morocco’s readiness to partner in automobile manufacturing, agro-food industries, and education, adding that such a collaboration would enhance economic ties between the two nations.

Conclusion: A New Era of Economic Cooperation

The signing of this MoU between Ogun State and CGEM signals a new era of economic cooperation between Nigeria and Morocco.

With plans to develop energy solutions, industrial infrastructure, and modernized education systems, this partnership is expected to unlock new economic opportunities and position Ogun State as a leading industrial hub in West Africa.