Significant Growth in Bilateral Trade
The latest figures released by the Economic Observatory of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) reveal that bilateral trade between Morocco and Italy reached an impressive €4.752 billion in 2025. This robust trade relationship highlights Morocco's emergence as a pivotal market for Italian exports, which approached €3 billion, thereby solidifying its position as one of the primary export destinations for Italy across the African continent. The data reflects a deepening commercial alliance, as Italian companies increasingly view Morocco not only as a valuable consumer market but also as a strategic hub for manufacturing and logistics aimed at broader African markets.
Morocco: A Key Player in Italian Trade
In 2025, Italian exports to Morocco reached €2.995 billion, accounting for 14.8% of Italy's total exports to Africa, thus positioning Morocco as Italy’s third-largest customer on the continent, trailing only Tunisia and Algeria. This places Morocco ahead of significant regional economies such as Egypt, Libya, and South Africa. Conversely, trade flows in the opposite direction were also noteworthy, with Italian imports from Morocco totaling €1.757 billion, indicating that Morocco ranks as Italy's sixth-largest supplier in Africa. This dynamic created a favorable trade balance with a surplus of €1.238 billion for Italy, underscoring the mutual benefits of this economic partnership.
Beyond mere exchanges of goods, the relationship is further strengthened by a growing industrial presence. Pasquale Salzano, Italy’s Ambassador to Rabat, emphasized Morocco’s stable investment environment, particularly in sectors like energy, transport, civil infrastructure, logistics, and mechanical engineering, which are ripe for future collaboration. Notably, Morocco serves as Italy's second-largest supplier of machinery, facilitating a significant industrial cooperation.
As of late 2023, Italian businesses have continued to establish a strong foothold in Africa, with over 1,600 Italian companies employing more than 90,000 individuals and generating a remarkable €25.1 billion in revenue. The stock of Italian foreign direct investment in Africa was reported to reach €30.835 billion by the close of 2025, further indicating the long-term commitment of Italian firms to the continent.
Looking ahead, the prospect of enhanced economic cooperation is particularly promising with Morocco set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The extensive public and private projects required for this event will open new avenues for Italian companies, especially those specializing in stadium design, urban mobility, mass transit, logistical hubs, and urban regeneration. This collaborative expansion aligns with the larger trend of increasing Italian trade across Africa, which saw a 10% year-on-year increase in total trade during the first half of 2026, amounting to €30.391 billion, with exports rising by 17% and imports by 6.3%.
As reported by middle-east-online.com.
