Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
The Ogun State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco (CGEM) to collaborate on power generation and distribution, education, housing, infrastructure, and port development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun signed on behalf of the state, while Mr. Ali Zerouali represented Morocco at the signing ceremony held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Abiodun highlighted Morocco’s achievements in education, technology, manufacturing, and agriculture, stating that Ogun State stands to benefit from these advancements.
He noted that Morocco offers a 30% subsidy to investors, has signed 60 trade agreements worldwide, and leads in solar energy, electric vehicle exports, and aircraft part manufacturing.
Abiodun emphasized that the partnership would unlock economic potential and strengthen Ogun’s industrial sector.
“We hope to learn from Morocco’s expertise in hydro, solar, and gas energy to reduce energy costs. Given Morocco’s leadership in fertilizer production, we are eager to attract a massive fertilizer plant to Ogun State,” he said.
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The governor also stressed the importance of collaboration in manufacturing and technology, particularly in the automobile industry, to position Ogun as a hub for vehicle production in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He highlighted the Light Up Ogun Project, which aims to generate 6,000 to 7,000 megawatts of power to sustain the state’s industries. “We discussed how Morocco’s expertise in electricity generation and distribution could help us achieve our energy goals,” he added.
Abiodun revealed plans to extend the Lagos Blue Line into Ogun State, develop the Olokola Deep Seaport, and expand housing projects. “Despite building 5,000 houses, there is still much to be done, and we seek partnerships to transform Ogun’s cities into smart cities,” he said.
Mr. Zerouali reaffirmed Morocco’s readiness to partner with Ogun State in the automobile, agro-food, and education sectors. He emphasized that the agreement would strengthen economic ties between the two countries and foster long-term development.