Rationale.

The improvement of multimodality and the increasing capillarity of the TMC, treated previously, should provide the bases for smoothing transport flows and therefore improve trade conditions in the Maghreb countries. In the same line of action, the connection of the TMC to neighboring regions will contribute to facilitate foreign trade of the Maghreb and consequently, to boost socioeconomic development. Furthermore, these flows will contribute to a full use of the corridor and the incentive for continuous improvement of services and capacities of the TMC

Methodology.

Attention is focused on two elements:

First, the analysis of foreign trade between Maghreb countries and neighboring countries and regions:

The analysis of flows and composition of trade exchanges

• Existing trade potentialities to be enhanced
• Routing and modes of transports of trade exchanges

Second, the analysis of infrastructure and corridors and connections

• The analysis of existing infrastructure and extension projects of TMC
• The identification of cross border facilities

TMC Connectivity with Neighboring Regions. Outputs:

14. Analysis of External Trade.
15. Complementarity and Potentiality of the External Trade.
16. Conditions and Routing of the Current External Trade.
17. Identification Neighboring Regions’ Corridors.
18. Characteristics of Corridors Infrastructure and Border Connections Projects.
19. Improving the connectivity with Neighboring regions.
20. Cross Border Identification and Characteristics.

Conclusions.

Foreign trade of the Maghreb: 

• Morocco, and especially Tunisia, have the potential to establish trade relations more easily than the other Maghreb countries, thanks to the composition of their exports.
• Although in general, Algeria, Libya and Mauritania have lower TCI values than Morocco and Tunisia, there are some possible specific relationships with countries in neighboring regions that rank among their top TCI values at the global level. This would be the case of the Algeria-Nigeria, Algeria-Malta, Libya-Malta, Libya-Mauritania and Mauritania-Guinea Bissau relationships.
• In some cases, the potential of the Maghreb countries lies not so much in direct trade (export and import), but in being part of the logistics and transport chain of trade between other countries. Hence the importance of developing ports and logistics networks achieving good transport infrastructures. This point may be especially interesting in the relationship with ECOWAS countries.
• Although in practice, trade relations go beyond theoretical analysis and also depend on other factors (international trade agreements, existence of efficient infrastructure and facilitation measures, national interests, among others), there is still potential for developing trade relations with countries in neighboring regions.
• Maritime transport plays a dominant role in the trade relations of the countries of the trans-Maghreb multimodal corridor, as evidenced by trade relations with European Union. It is particularly important in the tonnage analysis with some countries exceeding the 92% share (Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia).
• Transport by fixed mechanism has a stable market in oil-producing countries such as Algeria and Libya. In 2022, it reaches a share of around 38% and 11% respectively (in tonnes) in their relations with EU.
• Road transport is particularly relevant in the relations of Morocco and Tunisia with the EC (share of 20% and 10% respectively, in euros), thanks to the existence of consolidated ro-ro services, which facilitate the agile exit of goods from the port.
• Rail transport does not have a significant share in international trade relations. Currently, its use as multimodal transport is mainly based on domestic flows.
• The increasing distance between countries, together with the lack of a consolidated and efficient land infrastructure and agreements, are factors favouring the use of maritime transport, as reflected in the trade relations between the European GTMO5+5 countries and the ECOWAS region, where maritime transport has a 98-99% share over the last ten years.
• The potential increase in trade relations between the European GTMO5+5 countries and the ECOWAS region could be an opportunity for the Maghreb countries to use their ports as entry and exit points for goods. To this end, Maghreb ports should have a high performance and be complemented by an efficient transport and logistics network, as well as a series of trade facilitation measures.
• In the Maghreb countries’ trade relations with ECOWAS countries, Mauritania may play a central role. Improving its land infrastructures should contribute to the consolidation of Mauritania’s own and Morocco’s existing trade relations with Senegal, as well as favoring trade relations with Mali, as a landlocked country.

Neighboring regions connection: 

• Several infrastructure projects reflect the interest of countries of the Maghreb and the Sahel to reinforce the connectivity between Maghreb and neighbouring regions. The stage of development of these projects varies considerably from one country to other.
• Mauritania and Senegal are developing projects aiming to boost regional connectivity, even if in some case are affected by delays. The Rosso Bridge, including also new accesses and new border facilities, is most the representative project of the efforts of these two countries. Other projects to reinforce regional connectivity are: Highway Dakar-Saint Louis in Senegal or Highway Nouakchott-Boutilimit and road Tidjikja-Gabou in Mauritania.
• The Rosso Bridge and the Highway Dakar-Saint Louis are projects on the Trans-African Highway 1 Cairo-Dakar Corridor and become the direct extension of TMC into Senegal.
• The link between Tidjikja and Gabou, which continues to Zuerate and the north of Mauritania is part of a greater axe, that runs parallel to the TMC in Mauritania and will connect the Sahel and the Maghreb.
• The foreseen infrastructural continuity of the Trans-African Highway 1 between Morocco and Senegal may imply the reinforcement of flows between Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal. Moreover, it may become a backbone for flows and exchanges in Western Africa.
• Other connection projects to extend the network of the countries of Maghreb to neighbouring regions are under uncertainty, due to regional instability.
• This is the case of the extension of the Trans-Sahara road to Mali, whereas the Niger section is nearly completed. The extension of Libyan road network to neighbouring countries is also affected by current instability, despite the existence of governmental memorandums to develop international connections to Egypt, Chad and Niger.
• The no completion of these projects will affect especially the landlocked countries of the Sahel preventing a land connection with the Mediterranean.
• The upgrading and modernisation of border crossing infrastructures appear as actions conceived to improve and smooth trade flows. The planned new border crossing between Mauritania and Senegal in Rosso, the plan to improve border points in Algeria and the recent upgrading of the Egyptian Sollum border facilities are prove of these actions. The case of Mauritania and Algeria reflects the interest of these countries on trade exchanges with Sahel countries.