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Photo: World Bank Group

Seafood and Aquaculture Potential: The US$1.9 Billion Investment Opportunity in Southern Morocco

Click on the flag for more information about Morocco MOROCCO
Thursday, May 07, 2026, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

World Bank Identifies Seafood Sector as a Primary Driver for 166,000 New Jobs

RABAT – A series of strategic reports released by the World Bank Group, including the Morocco Growth and Jobs Report and the Country Private Sector Diagnostic, have identified the southern provinces of Morocco as a high-potential destination for massive private investment. While the region is targeted for a total of $7.4 billion in private capital, the marine aquaculture sector stands out as a vital pillar, capable of mobilizing $1.96 billion and generating nearly 75,000 jobs on its own.

Unlocking 24,000 Hectares of Aquatic Potential

With a coastline stretching over 3,500 kilometers across the Atlantic and Mediterranean, Morocco currently possesses an underutilized aquaculture capacity. The Sahara region, in particular, offers a massive natural advantage, with more than 24,000 hectares officially identified as suitable for high-value aquatic farming.

Photo: courtesy SKB

The national strategy aims for a production target of 300,000 tons by 2035. The region of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab is currently the industry leader, concentrating approximately 50% of national marine production through more than 112 active projects. This momentum is now spreading to Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, where structured projects in fish farming are gaining traction, though they remain hampered by administrative complexities.

 

Photo: ANDA

A Diversified Seafood Portfolio

The investment roadmap focuses on satisfying global demand through the cultivation of several key species:

  • Mollusks: Extensive potential for oysters and mussels.

  • Finfish: Strategic breeding of sea bream, yellowtail (lemon fish), and meager.

  • Algae: Cultivation of seaweed for industrial and nutritional markets.

Structural Barriers to the "Blue Transformation"

Despite the optimism, the World Bank warns that private investment in the sector remains insufficient compared to peer economies. Productivity growth is modest, and the country’s economic model still relies heavily on public spending. To capture the $1.96 billion opportunity in aquaculture, the report outlines several necessary reforms:

  • Administrative Reform: Streamlining and digitalizing complex permitting processes that currently deter investors.

  • Infrastructure: Strengthening the cold chain and establishing modern conditioning and valuation centers.

  • Human Capital: Training the local workforce in advanced aquatic farming techniques.

  • Market Integration: Structuring value chains to better exploit privileged access to European markets and reduce dependence on imports.

Expert Perspectives

The leadership of the World Bank Group emphasizes that the time for reform is now. Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, IBRD Division Director for the Maghreb, noted:

"Morocco has built a strong foundation—and with the policy recommendations of the Growth and Jobs Report, the Kingdom can go even further, generate millions of jobs, deepen private investment, and create real opportunities."

Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC Division Director, added that the diagnostic:

"Highlights concrete opportunities that could mobilize private investment equivalent to around 4% of GDP."

By addressing these bottlenecks, Morocco positions its southern provinces not just as a regional hub, but as a global leader in the sustainable seafood and aquaculture industry.


🇯🇵 日本語 (Japanese)

ブルーゴールド:モロッコ南部のアクイカルチャーにおける19億ドルの投資フロンティア

世界銀行、地域のシーフード部門が16万6,000人の新規雇用創出の主要な原動力になると特定

ラバト – 世界銀行グループが発表した「モロッコ成長・雇用報告書」および「国別民間部門診断」を含む一連の戦略報告書は、モロッコの南部諸州を大規模な民間投資の潜在性の高い目的地として特定しました。この地域では合計74億ドルの民間資本が目標とされていますが、その中でも海洋アクイカルチャー部門は、単独で19億6,000万ドルを動員し、約7万5,000人の雇用を創出できる重要な柱として際立っています。

2万4,000ヘクタールの水産潜在能力を解き放つ

大西洋地中海にまたがる3,500キロメートル以上の海岸線を持つモロッコは、現在、十分に活用されていないアクイカルチャー能力を保有しています。特にサハラ地域は、広大な自然的優位性を備えており、2万4,000ヘクタール以上が大規模な高付加価値水産養殖に適した場所として公式に特定されています。

国家戦略は、2035年までに30万トンの生産目標を掲げています。ダフラ=ウエド・エッ=ダハブ地域は現在、業界のリーダーであり、112以上の進行中のプロジェクトを通じて、国内の海洋生産の約50%を集中させています。この勢いは現在、エル・アイウン=サキア・エル・ハムラ地域にも広がっており、魚類養殖における構造化されたプロジェクトが注目を集めていますが、依然として行政手続きの複雑さが障害となっています。

多様化されたシーフード・ポートフォリオ

投資ロードマップは、以下の主要な種の養殖を通じて、世界的な需要を満たすことに焦点を当てています:

  • 軟体動物:カキやムール貝の広大な潜在能力。

  • 魚類:ヨーロッパヘダイ、ブリ(レモンフィッシュ)、ミーガルの戦略的な飼育。

  • 藻類:工業用および栄養市場向けの海藻栽培。

「ブルー・トランスフォーメーション」への構造的障壁

楽観的な見通しの一方で、世界銀行は、この部門への民間投資が他国と比較して依然として不十分であると警告しています。生産性の伸びは緩やかであり、国の経済モデルは依然として公的支出に大きく依存しています。アクイカルチャーにおける19億6,000万ドルの機会を捉えるために、報告書はいくつかの必要な改革を概説しています:

  • 行政改革:現在投資家を遠ざけている複雑な許認可プロセスの合理化とデジタル化。

  • インフラ:コールドチェーンの強化と、近代的な調整・評価センターの設立。

  • 人的資本:高度な水産養殖技術における現地労働力のトレーニング。

  • 市場統合欧州市場への特権的なアクセスをより良く活用し、輸入への依存を減らすためのバリューチェーンの構築。

専門家の視点

世界銀行グループのリーダーシップは、今こそ改革の時であると強調しています。世界銀行(IBRD)のマグリブ担当局長であるアマドゥ・ムスタファ・ンジャイ氏は次のように述べています:

「モロッコは強固な基盤を築いてきました。そして、成長・雇用報告書の政策提言により、王国はさらに前進し、何百万もの雇用を創出し、民間投資を深め、真の機会を創出することができます」

国際金融公社(IFC)の局長であるシェイク=ウマル・シラ氏は、この診断について次のように付け加えました:

「国内総生産(GDP)の約4%に相当する民間投資を動員できる具体的な機会を浮き彫りにしています」

これらのボトルネックを解消することで、モロッコはその南部諸州を単なる地域の拠点としてだけでなく、持続可能なシーフードおよびアクイカルチャー産業における世界的リーダーとして位置づけています。


🇨🇳 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese)

蓝金:摩洛哥南部水产养殖业的 19 亿美元投资前沿

世界银行指出,海鮮部门将成为创造 16.6 万个新就业机会的主要驱动力

拉巴特 – 由世界银行集团发布的一系列战略报告(包括《摩洛哥增长与就业报告》和《国别私营部门诊断》)已将摩洛哥南部省份确定为大规模私营投资的高潜力目的地。虽然该地区的目标是吸引总计 74 亿美元的私营资本,但海洋水产养殖部门作为一个重要支柱脱颖而出,仅其自身就能动员 19.6 亿美元并创造近 7.5 万个就业机会

解锁 2.4 万公顷的水产潜力

摩洛哥拥有延伸超过 3500 公里、横跨大西洋地中海的海岸线,目前其水产养殖能力尚未得到充分利用。尤其是撒哈拉地区,拥有巨大的自然优势,超过 2.4 万公顷的土地已被正式确定为适合大规模高价值水产养殖。

国家战略的目标是到 2035 年实现 30 万吨的产量目标。达赫拉-黄金谷地地区目前是该行业的领导者,通过 112 个以上的活跃项目集中了全国约 50% 的海洋产量。这种势头目前正蔓延到阿尤恩-萨基亚-阿姆拉地区,虽然那里在鱼类养殖方面的结构化项目正获得动力,但仍受到行政复杂性的阻碍。

多元化的海鮮组合

投资路线图侧重于通过培育以下几种关键物种来满足全球需求:

  • 软体动物:牡蛎和贻贝的巨大潜力。

  • 鳍鱼:金头鲷、鰤鱼(柠檬鱼)和石首鱼的战略性育种。

  • 藻类:针对工业和营养市场的海藻养殖。

“蓝色转型”的结构性障碍

尽管前景乐观,但世界银行警告称,该部门的私营投资与同行经济体相比仍显不足。生产率增长缓慢,国家的经济模式仍严重依赖公共支出。为了捕捉水产养殖业中 19.6 亿美元的机会,报告概述了几项必要的改革:

  • 行政改革:简化和数字化目前令投资者望而却步的复杂审批流程。

  • 基础设施:加强冷链并建立现代化的调理和评估中心。

  • 人力资本:对当地劳动力进行先进水产养殖技术方面的培训。

  • 市场整合:构建价值链,以更好地利用进入欧洲市场的特权,并减少对进口的依赖。

专家观点

世界银行集团的领导层强调,现在是改革的时候了。世界银行(IBRD)马格里布局局长 Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye 指出:

“摩洛哥已经建立了坚实的基础——凭借《增长与就业报告》的政策建议,王国可以走得更远,创造数百万个就业机会,深化私营投资,并创造真正的机会”

国际金融公司(IFC)局局长 Cheick-Oumar Sylla 补充说,该诊断:

“突出了可以动员相当于国内生产总值(GDP)约 4% 的私营投资的具体机会”

通过解决这些瓶颈,摩洛哥将其南部省份定位为不仅是地区枢纽,而且是全球可持续海鮮和水产养殖业的领导者。

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