Morocco's Dakhla Port Nears 2029 Target Amid Green Energy Integration

Morocco is advancing the development of the Dakhla Atlantic Port, a deep-water facility in the Oued Eddahab region, which officials report is currently 45 percent complete and scheduled for an operational launch in early 2029. This major infrastructure project, involving an investment of approximately $1.2 billion, is intended to serve as a vital maritime hub connecting Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The port's construction aligns with the Royal Atlantic Initiative and Morocco's New Development Model for the Southern Provinces, aimed at stimulating regional socio-economic expansion.

Situated 40 kilometers north of Dakhla in the Ntireft village area, the port is a central component of the broader 2030 National Port Policy, which seeks to redistribute port activity away from established Mediterranean centers such as Casablanca and Tangier Med. The facility's comprehensive design includes a commercial terminal, a dedicated fishing port, a shipyard, and extensive logistics zones. It is projected to handle up to 35 million tonnes of cargo annually, including more than one million containers per year.

The Dakhla Atlantic Port is engineered to support the expanding green energy sector, specifically facilitating the transportation and storage of green hydrogen. This focus on sustainability is complemented by a related seawater desalination plant in the region, which is 70 percent complete and slated to operate on wind energy, intended to support irrigation for 5,200 hectares in the Bir Anzarane agricultural zone. Strategically, the port is positioned to compete with established maritime transshipment centers, such as the Canary Islands ports, by offering modern infrastructure and proximity to emerging West African markets.

The port’s connectivity is secured via the N1 national road, linking it to Tangier in the north and Guerguerat in the south, thereby providing land access across the African continent and to Europe. This infrastructure underpins Morocco’s broader economic strategy by offering secure maritime access to landlocked Sahel countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, fostering South-South cooperation. Furthermore, the development is supported by significant energy investments, including TAQA Morocco’s $27 billion green hydrogen project in the region, aiming to generate 6,000 MW of renewable energy for export.

The construction phase has provided substantial local economic activity, mobilizing approximately 1,600 personnel and generating over 2,500 direct and indirect jobs. The project required substantial material input, including 314,000 tonnes of cement and 20 million kg of steel for piles. Nisrine Iouzzi, the Director of Dakhla Atlantic Port Construction, stated the project embodies a royal vision for an Atlantic African alliance focused on shared prosperity, while Mounir Houari, General Director of the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab Regional Investment Center, noted the infrastructure will attract investors targeting the rapidly expanding West African market, particularly with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.