Morocco Unveils the ‘Donald Trump Highway’
The newly inaugurated highway, which stretches over 1,000 kilometers, connects Tiznit, El Aaiún, and Dajla, traversing the contested region of Western Sahara. In a surprising promotional campaign, this significant infrastructure development has been branded as the “President Donald J. Trump Highway.” This naming move likely reflects Morocco's intention to strengthen its strategic ties with the United States, highlighting the deepening relationship between the two nations. President Trump himself announced this on Truth Social, indicating that Morocco may be seeking to align itself closely with the former U.S. president through this substantial construction project, one of the largest in North Africa.
The highway forms a vital part of King Mohammed VI's strategy to economically integrate the southern provinces of Morocco, transforming the region into a logistical hub for sub-Saharan Africa. Running along the Atlantic coastline, the road links Tiznit with Guelmim, Tan-Tan, El Aaiún, Bojador, and Dajla, significantly enhancing the transport of goods and facilitating connections to the future Atlantic Port of Dajla, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2028.
Investment and Diplomatic Significance
This ambitious project was initiated in 2015 as part of a broader infrastructure development program aimed at improving the southern regions of Morocco. After nearly a decade of construction and modernization efforts, the highway became fully operational in January 2025, with a total investment nearing 10 billion dirhams, approximately one billion dollars, making it one of the most significant road construction efforts undertaken by the country.
The backdrop of this development is deeply rooted in diplomatic history. Morocco was the first nation to recognize American independence in 1777, and the two countries share one of the longest continuous diplomatic relationships in the world. The dynamic of this partnership shifted notably in December 2020 when the Trump Administration recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in exchange for Morocco's normalization of relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords. Following this, Washington has continued to support further investments in the region.
While several international media outlets have reported on the naming of the highway as the “Donald Trump Highway,” some sources indicate that Moroccan authorities still officially refer to it as the Tiznit-Dajla highway. This raises questions about whether the name change has been formally recognized or if it remains a promotional and symbolic title for the time being.
As reported by as.com.
