Benin Morocco strengthen ties with 14 new cooperation agreements

The seventh session of the Benin-Morocco Joint Cooperation Commission convened in Cotonou on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The meeting resulted in the signing of 14 cooperation agreements across key sectors, highlighting the robust and expanding partnership between the two nations.

Co-chaired by Corinne Amori Brunet, Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Afro-descendant Integration, and Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Overseas Moroccans, the session underscored progress made while emphasizing the need to further deepen and diversify collaboration. During the opening remarks, Nasser Bourita commended Benin’s democratic maturity and economic performance, positioning the country among emerging nations. He praised the strong bonds of friendship and mutual respect that define the bilateral relationship, stressing the importance of aligning future cooperation with national priorities to maximize impact. A key focus was the call to engage the private sector more actively to boost economic exchanges, attract investments, and support development financing. The goal is to establish the Benin-Morocco partnership as a model of inter-African collaboration rooted in solidarity, shared growth, and sustainable development.

Nasser Bourita also reaffirmed Morocco’s unwavering solidarity with Benin in addressing security threats, while advocating for urgent action to promote an Islam of tolerance. Hugues Oscar Lokossou, Benin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, shared insights on elevating the partnership to strategic levels across priority areas. Acknowledging that trade exchanges remain below potential, he highlighted sectors where Moroccan and Beninese expertise could intersect, from agriculture to digital innovation. He called for a shared prosperity space, urging combined efforts and resources to unlock new opportunities.

Fourteen cooperation agreements signed…

At the close of the session, Benin and Morocco formalized a landmark set of 14 cooperation agreements. These include: an accord on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters; a framework agreement on higher education, scientific research, and innovation; a judicial mutual assistance convention; an extradition treaty; a convention on the transfer of sentenced persons; an action plan in justice; a security cooperation agreement; a protocol on financial modalities for civil protection; a protocol on food safety cooperation; a framework convention on vocational training; an academic scholarship and expertise-sharing agreement; a memorandum of understanding on sports and athletic training; a tourism development partnership convention; and a memorandum of understanding on environmental sustainability and renewable energy.

These initiatives reflect a shared vision to strengthen institutional ties, foster economic resilience, and advance sustainable development through targeted, mutually beneficial collaboration.