Morocco Set to Become a Military Training Hub with NATO's DEEP Program

Morocco's Role in Strengthening African Military Training

Morocco is quickly emerging as a significant center for military training, specifically tailored to the needs of African armies. Scheduled between late 2026 and early 2027, the kingdom will host a session of NATO's Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), as reported by Africa Intelligence on August 27. This initiative, established in 2007, focuses on improving military education and training for personnel from NATO partner nations across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Rabat, having officially joined DEEP in 2025, is leveraging its strong ties to the Atlantic Alliance. Ahmed Réda Chami, Morocco’s ambassador to the European Union, is leading strategic discussions with NATO to facilitate this important session. In the 2025 NATO report presented last April by Secretary General Mark Rutte, Morocco was highlighted as a crucial partner on the southern front, with particular praise for its active involvement in the Mediterranean Dialogue framework.

Enhancing African Armed Forces through Strategic Collaborations

The report also indicates the establishment of a trilateral mechanism involving NATO, Morocco, and various African nations aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of African armed forces. The forthcoming DEEP session in Morocco is set against this backdrop, following a year in which DEEP facilitated nearly 600 activities, engaging around 1,800 experts from NATO member countries. This furthers Morocco's reputation as a leading military partner in the region.

The recent announcement that Morocco will host a DEEP session coincides with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on July 13, aimed at establishing the African Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center (AMTEC) in Tan-Tan. By 2030, AMTEC is expected to encompass a multidomain training area, a drone academy, and an innovation and experimentation center, thereby enhancing Morocco's military collaboration with the United States and NATO.

Moreover, the recent African Lion exercise conducted in Morocco from April 20 to May 8, 2026, across various locations such as Agadir and Tan-Tan, underscored this collaboration, featuring drone training for approximately 20 military personnel from Morocco, Nigeria, and Ghana. Through hosting these initiatives, Morocco is emphasizing its ambition to become a regional hub for military training, exercises, and cooperation, ultimately supporting the enhancement of African armed forces.

The decision to conduct a session of NATO’s DEEP programme in Morocco is a logical extension of the kingdom’s recent military agreements with several African nations, including those that still recognize the 'RASD', such as Ethiopia and Rwanda. Additionally, General Mohammed Berrid participated in the conference of chiefs of staff of the armed forces of 35 African nations held in Luanda, Angola, earlier this July, reinforcing the theme of regional security and sustainable prosperity through collaborative strength.

As reported by en.yabiladi.com.