The Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI) and OCPPC Policy Center are jointly launching the first edition of the “Morocco-Nigeria Strategic Dialogues: Enhancing Opportunities for Growth and Development”. The initiative aims to implement a platform for dialogue on topics related to economic development of African countries, partnerships in the energy sector, the mobilization of financial resources and the role of youth.  The ‘’Morocco-Nigeria Strategic Dialogues’’ will constitute an opportunity to further explore the inputs of Morocco and Nigeria, as two strategic players within the African continent. The partnership between AEDPI and OCPPC plays a pivotal role in bridging the two countries, and places both institutions as catalyzers of ideas and knowledge related to Morocco and Nigeria.

Morocco and Nigeria, as emerging countries, have considerable leverage in multiple sectors such as energy. In 2016, both countries have brokered a deal on the construction of a gas pipeline from Nigeria to Morocco. Nigeria remains one of the leading producers of oil and gas in Africa while Morocco has developed an increasingly robust expertise in renewable energy.

This first edition will be an opportunity to discuss key issues and challenges faced by Morocco and Nigeria on the economic front, in order to deliver creative and edge-cutting solutions for cooperation and partnership in terms of growth and development. The event will also constitute a forum for a better understanding of the sectoral similarities and complementarities, and a platform, for stakeholders, that would facilitate experience-sharing on respective lessons learned and good practices.

Concept and Format

The cycle is composed of two seminars: the first one taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, and the second one in Rabat, Morocco. The conferences will be held, respectively, over two days, and will be addressing a number of issues of interest relating to economy and development of to the two countries. The panels will vary from keynote speakers highlighting experience sharing and expertise, to policy panels.

This first edition will explore the commonalities existing between Morocco and Nigeria, such as the role of energy in sustainable development, the possible contributions  of financial markets with regards to mobilizing local resources, as well as the role and importance of the Moroccan and Nigerian diasporas.

Agenda

9:15- 9:30                      Opening Address /agenda setting

Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Senior Economic Advisor, African Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI

Mr. Karim El Aynaoui, Managing Director, OCP Policy Center

9:45-11:05                     Panel I:  Fiscal and Monetary Policies in Times of Uncertainty

Price stability is important in avoiding prolonged inflation and deflation, and it is a significant objective of monetary policy. Monetary and fiscal policies are both very important in  having a stable economy, and Central Banks and Ministries of Finance have an important role to play. This session hopes to answer the question of what is the role of central banks and Ministries of Finance in mitigating the impact of commodity prices fluctuation on the economic activity and how can they work to ensure price stability?

                                   Chair

                                   Dr. Tayo Aduloju, Senior Fellow Public Policy, NESG

                                   Speakers

                                   Mr. Karim El Aynaoui, Managing Director, OCP Policy Center

                                   Mr. Ben Akabueze, Director of Budget, Ministry of Budget and National Planning

                                   Dr. Doyin Salami, Lagos Business School

11:05-11:25                    Coffee Break

11:25-12:45                   Panel II:  Energy Policies: What are the complementarities between Nigeria and Morocco?

Climate change and the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels have positioned the debate on renewable energy at the forefront of the current global agenda. Morocco is a leading example in term of renewable energy, for sustainable development. Nigeria, on the other hand, remains one of the main suppliers of oil and gas in the African continent. The different profiles of Morocco and Nigeria, with regards to energy, raises the question of how we can reconcile the differences and find complementarities, in order to pave way for economic development. What are the complementarities between Nigeria and Morocco, Nigeria being the first producer of Oil and Gas on the African Continent, and Morocco being an economic power developing expertise in renewable energy 

                                   Chair

                                   Mr. Patrick Okigbo III, Principal Partner, Nextier Power Limited

                                   Speakers

                                   Mr. Said Mouline, General Director, Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE)

                                   Mr. Ali Zerouali, Director of International Cooperation and Development Department, MASEN

                                   Mr Segun Adaju, President, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria

                                   Mr. Erabor Okogun, Managing Dirctor, Neomante Limited 

12:45-14:00                    Lunch Break

14:00 –15:20                  Panel III:  Mobilizing local resources: The role of financial markets

A large majority of African countries are subjected to crippling foreign debts which could, ultimately, paralyze the economic capacities of the country if the foreign debt to GDP ratio remains dangerously high. This session aims at exploring the impact of the reliance on foreign financial markets on macroeconomic policies, as well as discussing the role that could be played by the domestic financial system in balancing the effects of the foreign financial aid systems.

                                   Chair

                                   Mr. Mohamed Loulichki, Senior Fellow, OCP Policy Center

                                   Speakers

                                   Mr. Bola Onadele Koko, CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange

                                   Ms. Affi Williams, CEO of Real Fruit

15:20- 15:40                   Coffee Break 

15:40 –17:00                  Panel IV: How to tap into the potential of youth and diaspora at the regional and continental levels?

Both Morocco and Nigeria are connected to a large community of their diaspora that is skilled, innovative and eager to contribute to their countries’ development. This panel session focuses on one the main challenges with regards to diaspora and youth, being how to build bridges with these communities, at the domestic level and abroad, and set up regional partnerships in order to realize the fullest potential of youth and the diaspora.

                                   Chair

                                   Mrs. Eniola Mafe, Project Lead, Regional Engagement, Internet for All

                                   Speakers

                                   Mr.Youssef Kobo, Strategic Innovation Consultant & Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders Alumnus

                                   Mrs. Selam Tekalign, Chargée de mission, OCP

                                   Dr. Modupe Adefeso-Olateju, The Education Partnership Centre

                                   Dr. Enase Okonedo, Dean, Lagos Business School (LBS)

                                   Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Managing Director, Accenture Nigeria

17:00 – 17:10                 Vote of Thanks

                                   Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)

Marocco Nigeria Strategic Dialogues

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Middle Band Solar One Limited (MBSO), a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Nigeria, is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from interested firms to carry out the engineering, procurement, construction and operation of 100 MW(ac) PV plant, to be located in Kogi State, Nigeria. MBSO has a generation license and has executed a PPA. MBSO intends to invite reputable EPC contractors and OM operators, with previous experience with the engineering, procurement, construction and operation of PV plants, to the request for proposal (RFP) process. 3. The procurement process will be conducted in two stages, Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) and Request for Proposal (RFP). 4. Bidders interested in participating in the RFP process, must apply by email, using the following details: https://en.calameo.com/read/0057170824ff3db420abd

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Under the agreement IFC InfraVentures, IFC’s Global Infrastructure Project Development Fund, will provide development funding and commercial and technical support to a developer consortium to co-develop the solar power project via the Middle Band Solar One project company. The consortium consists of Alten Renewable Energy Developments Africa, B.V., Green Continent Partners Holding B.V. and Nemoante Ltd, The project is expected to reach financial close by the fourth quarter of 2016.

Arjen Pen, Founding Partner of Green Continent, said, “The key strategy of Middle Band Solar One is to harness the abundant all-year-round supply of sunlight and become one of Nigeria’s leading providers of renewable energy”. Erabor A. Okogun, from Nemoante and Co-Founder/Managing Director of Middle Band Solar One Limited, said, “We will leverage our local knowledge with the long-term experience and technical expertise of Alten and IFC in developing solar power projects globally, to build a world class solar project that not only increases the country’s energy supply and diversifies its energy mix but also helps mitigate climate change, fundamental for the sustainable development of Nigeria.”

Luis Castellanos, CEO of Alten Africa, said “We are proud to lead one of the biggest solar projects in Africa. From Alten, we’ll contribute our vast experience in the design, development, funding, construction and management of utility-scale photovoltaic power plants. Developing this project fits with our strategy to provide access to power for the millions of people who currently have low or no access to electricity, especially in developing economies.” 

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