Morocco, Saudi Arabia Move to Strengthen Cooperation in the Mining Sector

Morocco and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the mining sector, underscoring the strategic importance of minerals in supporting sustainable economic growth and industrial development.

Talks were held in Riyadh between Leila Benali, Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, and Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the International Mining Conference, held from January 13 to 15 in the Saudi capital.

The discussions reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation following a series of technical engagements between working teams from both countries. Both ministers highlighted mining as a priority area for deeper collaboration, reflecting its growing role in energy transition, industrial resilience, and regional value chains.

Key areas of cooperation identified during the talks included the development of strategic and critical minerals, the expansion of training and capacity-building programmes, and the acceleration of digital transformation through advanced technologies across the mining value chain. The two sides also stressed the importance of supporting scientific research and encouraging innovation, particularly in mining services that add value and enhance sector competitiveness.

The ministers agreed to maintain close coordination between their technical teams to ensure effective implementation of agreed priorities. This includes supporting private-sector participation, boosting investment flows, and strengthening partnerships among training institutions, research centres, and engineering firms specialising in mining.

Morocco’s engagement with Saudi Arabia builds on its broader leadership role in promoting sustainable and responsible mining across Africa. In November, Minister Benali signed a strategic memorandum of understanding in Marrakech with Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), represented by its Secretary-General, Moses Michael.

The agreement aims to advance responsible mining governance across the continent, including the implementation of a continent-wide environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework and the development of the Origination–Transit–Certification (OTC) corridor. The MoU was signed during the opening of the Morocco International Mining Congress 2025, reinforcing Morocco’s growing influence in shaping Africa’s mining policy and sustainability agenda.

Together, the Morocco–Saudi Arabia discussions and Morocco’s continental initiatives highlight a shared focus on sustainable mining, innovation, and long-term institutional cooperation as the sector gains strategic importance globally.