Ogun State, Morocco Sign MoU to Boost Energy, Port Development, and Industrial Growth

A major economic collaboration has been sealed between Ogun State and the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco (CGEM), as both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in energy, infrastructure, education, housing, and port development.

The agreement was formalized on Wednesday at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, with Governor Dapo Abiodun representing Ogun State and Mr. Ali Zerouali signing on behalf of Morocco.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor Abiodun emphasized that the partnership would allow Ogun State to benefit from Morocco’s expertise in hydro, solar, and gas energy, with the goal of reducing electricity costs and enhancing power generation and distribution.

“We want to learn from you how you perfected hydro, solar, and gas energy, which, of course, brings down the cost of energy,” the governor said.

Key Areas of Collaboration

Energy and Infrastructure

Governor Abiodun disclosed that Ogun State requires between 6,000 to 7,000 megawatts to power its industries under the “Light Up Ogun Project.” He expressed optimism that Morocco’s experience in renewable energy solutions would help address the state’s power generation, distribution, and transmission challenges.

Automobile and Manufacturing

The governor also outlined plans to establish an automobile industry in Ogun State in partnership with Moroccan companies. He said the goal is to position the state as a regional hub for vehicle exports to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Additionally, Ogun’s Special Economic Zone at Gateway International Airport will serve as a Free Trade Zone, attracting manufacturing and technology transfer from Morocco.

“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.

Agriculture and Agribusiness

The agreement also covers agriculture and agribusiness, with a focus on leveraging Morocco’s leadership in fertilizer production. Governor Abiodun expressed hope that a large-scale fertilizer plant planned for Nigeria could be sited in Ogun State.

“Morocco today is the largest producer of fertilizer on the continent and one of the biggest exporters. We hope that we can bring that plant to Ogun State,” he stated.

Port Development and Housing

Abiodun revealed that Ogun State is working on the development of the Olokola Deep Seaport, which is expected to be Nigeria’s deepest seaport. He stressed the importance of securing investment to accelerate the project’s completion.

Additionally, he highlighted the state’s ongoing housing projects, noting that despite the 5,000 homes already built, there is still a significant need for more housing solutions.

Education and Vocational Training

The partnership will also extend to technical and vocational education, as Ogun seeks to collaborate with Morocco to strengthen its technical colleges and provide industry-relevant training for Nigerian graduates.

Morocco Reaffirms Commitment

Speaking on behalf of CGEM, Mr. Ali Zerouali reaffirmed Morocco’s readiness to partner with Ogun State across various sectors, particularly in the automobile, agro-food, and education industries. He noted that the collaboration would help deepen economic ties between Nigeria and Morocco.

The agreement marks a significant step in Ogun State’s industrialization drive, promising increased foreign investments and accelerated infrastructure development.