In a significant geopolitical shift reshaping West African trade routes and alliances, the landlocked nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have formally endorsed Morocco’s initiative to provide them Atlantic Ocean access, a move with profound implications for regional power dynamics and economic development.
Foreign ministers from the three military-ruled nations met with King Mohammed VI in Rabat on Monday, where they “reaffirmed their full support for and commitment to accelerating the implementation” of Morocco’s Atlantic access initiative, according to a statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This agreement represents a critical development for these Sahel nations, whose geographic isolation has historically constrained their economic potential. Access to Atlantic shipping routes via Moroccan ports could fundamentally transform their trade capabilities, particularly following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the subsequent trade restrictions imposed by that regional bloc.
The endorsement must be understood within the broader context of dramatic geopolitical realignment occurring across the Sahel region. After military takeovers in all three nations, their governments made the consequential decision to exit ECOWAS in 2023, establishing instead their own security partnership known as the Alliance of Sahel States.
This regional restructuring has been accompanied by a strategic pivot away from traditional Western security partners. The three nations have severed longstanding military ties with France and the United States, turning instead to Russia for security assistance and military equipment.
Dr. Joseph Siegle, Director of Research at the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, has noted that “these shifts represent one of the most significant realignments of regional partnerships in West Africa since the end of the Cold War”.
Morocco first announced its Atlantic access initiative in December 2023, strategically positioning itself as an economic lifeline for the Sahel nations following ECOWAS sanctions. The plan leverages Morocco’s extensive port infrastructure, including its state-of-the-art Tangier Med facility, one of Africa’s largest and most technologically advanced ports
The initiative aligns with Morocco’s broader African strategy, which has emphasised south-south cooperation and continental integration while simultaneously strengthening its position in the long-standing Western Sahara dispute.
This maritime access agreement comes amid escalating tensions between Algeria (Morocco’s regional rival) and the Sahel nations. Last month, Algeria reported shooting down a Malian drone that allegedly crossed into its airspace near the border town of Tin Zaouatine – a claim Mali has denied.
These tensions reflect the complex interplay of regional interests, with Algeria historically viewing the Sahel as within its sphere of influence and expressing concern about the growing Russian presence in the region.
For the landlocked Sahel nations, Atlantic access represents not just an economic lifeline but a strategic reorientation. According to economic analyses, efficient maritime access could potentially reduce import costs by 15-20% while expanding export opportunities for these nations’ agricultural and mineral resources.
However, security experts caution that these shifting alliances may complicate regional counterterrorism efforts in a region already struggling with jihadist insurgencies and inter-communal violence.
As this new partnership takes shape, the international community will be watching closely to see how it affects regional stability, economic development, and the ongoing competition for influence across West Africa.
Sources: Moroccan Ports Authority, Diallo, Siegle, International Crisis Group, African Development Bank, International Security Studies, African Economic Outlook, Middle East Institute.
