The 7th session of the Benin-Morocco Joint Cooperation Commission convened in Cotonou on July 21, 2026, at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The gathering underscored the depth of collaboration between the two nations as 14 cooperation agreements were formally signed across critical sectors.

Co-chaired by Corinne Amori Brunet, Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of Afro-descendant Integration, and Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, the session highlighted progress achieved while stressing the need to further expand and diversify bilateral ties. Nasser Bourita praised Benin’s democratic maturity and economic performance, positioning it as an emerging leader in Africa. He emphasized the strong mutual respect and friendship between the two countries, urging alignment with government priorities to maximize impact. Bourita called for deeper private sector involvement to boost trade, investments, and development financing, envisioning a model inter-African partnership rooted in solidarity, shared progress, and sustainability. Addressing regional security concerns, he reaffirmed Morocco’s full solidarity with Benin and underscored the urgency of promoting a tolerant Islam.

Hugues Oscar Lokossou, Benin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, charged with external resource mobilization and debt management, stressed the need to elevate cooperation to strategic partnerships amid economic shifts. While acknowledging that trade exchanges have yet to meet expectations, he highlighted sectors where Moroccan and Beninese expertise could intersect, advocating for a shared prosperity space through collective effort.

Corinne Amori Brunet echoed the call for stronger collaboration across key sectors, including the economy, trade, industry, investment, tourism, agriculture, justice, security, vocational training, higher education, scientific research, health, digital innovation, and culture.

Fourteen agreements formalized…

The 7th session concluded with the signing of 14 cooperation agreements, spanning diverse domains:

• Mutual administrative assistance in customs matters;
• Framework cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and innovation;
• Judicial mutual assistance convention in criminal matters;
• Extradition convention;
• Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons;
• Action plan in the justice sector;
• Security cooperation agreement;
• Financial execution protocol for civil protection cooperation;
• Food safety cooperation protocol;
• Vocational training cooperation framework;
• Framework agreement on academic scholarships, internships, and expertise sharing;
• Memorandum of understanding in sports and athletic training;
• Tourism development partnership convention;
• Memorandum of understanding in environmental sustainability and sustainable development.