The 7th session of the joint Bénin-Maroc cooperation commission convened in Cotonou on July 21, 2026, at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The gathering marked a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, culminating in the signing of fourteen strategic cooperation agreements spanning key sectors.

Co-chaired by Corinne Amori Brunet, Bénin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of Afro-descendant Integration, and Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, the session highlighted both nations’ commitment to deepening collaboration. Nasser Bourita commended Bénin’s democratic maturity and economic progress, positioning it among emerging nations. He emphasized the importance of aligning bilateral efforts with national priorities while fostering private sector involvement to boost economic exchanges, attract investments, and support sustainable development. Addressing regional security concerns, he reaffirmed Morocco’s solidarity with Bénin and underscored the urgency of promoting tolerant Islamic values.

Echoing these views, Hugues Oscar Lokossou, Bénin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, stressed the need to elevate cooperation to strategic partnership levels despite current trade imbalances. He identified multiple sectors where Bénin and Morocco’s expertise could converge, calling for shared prosperity through combined resources and efforts.

Corinne Amori Brunet outlined a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening cooperation across diverse fields, including economy, trade, industry, investment, tourism, agriculture, security, professional training, higher education, scientific research, health, digital technology, and culture.

Fourteen cooperation agreements signed

The landmark session concluded with the official signing of fourteen cooperation agreements, each addressing critical areas of mutual benefit:

• Mutual administrative assistance in customs matters
• Framework agreement on 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
• Protocol on financial arrangements for civil protection cooperation
• Sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation protocol
• Framework convention on professional training
• Academic scholarships, internships, and expertise-sharing framework agreement
• Memorandum of understanding on sports and athletic training
• Tourism development partnership convention
• Memorandum of understanding on environment and sustainable development