Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Pursue Atlantic Trade Route via Morocco Following ECOWAS Departure

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—military-led states that recently exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)—have initiated talks with Morocco to secure access to Atlantic trade routes through its ports, according to Moroccan state media.

The foreign ministers of the three Sahel nations met with King Mohammed VI in Rabat, expressing support for Morocco’s proposal to facilitate maritime trade through its Atlantic infrastructure.

The move comes as the countries seek alternatives for international commerce after facing ECOWAS-imposed sanctions and trade barriers.

Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop highlighted the effort as a step towards “diversifying our access to the sea,” reflecting the bloc’s aim to reduce dependency on traditional regional trade corridors.

The three countries, now unified under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have increasingly distanced themselves from Western influence—expelling French troops and aligning more closely with Russia for military cooperation.

Morocco, a key investor in West Africa’s agriculture and finance sectors, launched the initiative in late 2023 amid shifting regional alliances and economic pressures.

The discussions also occur against a backdrop of growing tensions with Algeria, a strong supporter of the Polisario Front and a rival of Morocco over the Western Sahara dispute.

In a related development, Morocco recently played a role in mediating the release of four French intelligence operatives detained in Burkina Faso, months after France acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.