Africa and Europe share the same struggles as two of the world’s most powerful countries continue to pull away

The simple idea that Africa is the future has been greatly bolstered by the rapid development currently sweeping across Morocco.

Rabat, which now serves as the administrative capital of Africa’s largest industrial nation, also doubles as a case study for Africa’s potential industrialization, as the continent seeks to reduce its long-standing dependence on foreign intervention for development.

This was highlighted at the Casablanca Business Forum held on the 2nd of October, where some of Africa’s top industry leaders and administrators highlighted ideas on how Africa can advance its economic and technological sovereignty.

The event, hosted by Casablanca Finance City, brought together prominent African and global voices, including Lionel Zinzou; former Prime Minister of Benin, Patrick Dupoux; Managing Director and senior partner, member of BCG, Ms. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni; Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform of Morocco, and Philippe Aghion; a 2025 Nobel laureate in economic sciences, as well as other notable speakers.

The speakers spoke about Africa’s growing relevance across multiple sectors and how the continent can draw from Morocco’s development blueprint to achieve true economic liberties, especially now that the world is riddled with financially devastating conflicts.

One of the most interesting ideas presented during the conference came from the Managing Director and senior partner at BCG, Patrick Dupoux, who noted that Europe’s reality is intricately tied to that of Africa.

The managing director argued that Africa and Europe are increasingly finding themselves in a similar position as China and the United States pull further ahead in areas such as technology, digital infrastructure and economic competitiveness.

Rather than viewing the relationship between both continents purely through the traditional donor-recipient lens, Dupoux suggested that Africa and Europe should see each other as strategic allies.

His argument was built around a simple reality: Europe’s economic future is increasingly tied to Africa’s development.

Patrick Dupoux noted that if African economies fail to grow, create enough jobs and build the infrastructure they need, Europe will feel the impact too.

Ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions are already changing how trade, investment and supply chains work around the world.

Lionel Zinsou, former prime minister of Benin, highlighted a similar point, noting that Europe also needs to rethink how it approaches Africa.

He explained during his panel session that Africa should not wait for Europe to come help with development, given the fact that they face their own economic challenges and are also competing for investment.

As such, he suggested that Africa begin looking inward for investments and opportunities exclusive to the continent.

The former Beninese Prime Minister projected that Benin’s growth outlook surpasses that of many European nations and, as such, domestic investments would serve the economy better.

He said Benin could grow at a rate about 10 times higher than the European Union.

His message was clear: Africa is becoming more confident about shaping its own economic future, and Europe must be the one playing catch-up.

“Europe needs to wake up because Africa is waking up,” he said.

As mentioned earlier, the Casablanca Business Forum was organized by Casablanca Finance City, a true success story and driving engine of the rapid industrialization and economic growth currently defining Morocco.

Casablanca Finance City (CFC) is a major financial and business hub developed on the site of the former Anfa airport. It was established in 2010 with the goal of making Casablanca a regional platform for companies doing business across Africa.

CFC says its members now cover 53 of Africa’s 54 countries, with more than 300 members, and that 53% of their internationally generated revenue comes from Africa.

Morocco this year surpassed South Africa as Africa’s top manufacturing nation.

This industrialization is thanks to investments drawn into the North African country by Chinese and other investors, FDIs synonymous with the type CFC invites.

South Africa had held the top spot on the Africa Industrialisation Index since its inception in 2010.

However, that longstanding dominance came to an end when an African Development Bank (AfDB) report, published in April, ranked Morocco first in the 2025 edition.