Kenya on Monday formally expressed support for Morocco’s plan to grant autonomy to Western Sahara under Rabat’s sovereignty, aligning itself with a growing coalition of African, Arab, and Western nations backing Morocco’s stance in the decades-long territorial dispute.
The Western Sahara conflict, which began in 1975, pits Morocco against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks full independence for the mineral-rich desert region.
Morocco considers the area an integral part of its territory and has proposed limited autonomy under its rule—a position that has gained traction in recent years.
In a joint statement issued after high-level talks in Rabat, Kenya said it regards Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the “only credible and realistic” pathway to resolving the dispute and the only sustainable political solution.
The statement came as Kenya officially opened its embassy in Rabat, deepening bilateral ties following 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Morocco to Boost Fertilizer Exports to Kenya
The two countries also announced expanded economic cooperation, with Morocco pledging to accelerate fertilizer and phosphate exports to Kenya. This move is expected to improve Kenya’s agricultural sector, which relies heavily on imported fertilizers to support staple food production like maize, wheat, and rice.
Phosphates—mined extensively in Morocco—are a key ingredient in fertilizer production, and the North African country is one of the world’s top exporters of phosphate-based fertilizers.
Morocco’s state-owned OCP Group has used this resource to transform the country into a leading global hub for soil nutrients, helping it strengthen trade ties across Africa.
For Kenya, increased access to affordable phosphate-based fertilizers will be key as it seeks to improve food security, boosting crop yields, and reducing production costs for farmers.
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The move mirrors President William Ruto’s efforts to support smallholder agriculture and stabilize food prices amid climate-related disruptions and global supply chain volatility.
Morocco’s Economic Success with Phosphates
Morocco’s phosphate wealth has played a significant role in its economic development where in 2023, Morocco’s phosphate and derivatives exports generated approximately 7.7 billion Moroccan dirhams (MAD), equivalent to about US$.778 million.
Revenues from phosphate exports have helped finance infrastructure, green energy projects, and industrial growth. Kenya’s collaboration with Morocco on fertilizers also complements efforts to diversify its sourcing and reduce dependency on traditional fertilizer suppliers, whose pricing and availability have been volatile in recent years.
Beyond fertilizers, Kenya and Morocco agreed to cooperate on a range of sectors including renewable energy, tourism, fisheries, security, and cultural affairs, signaling a broad-based effort to deepen economic and diplomatic engagement.
Kenya is also keen to boost exports of tea, coffee, and fresh produce to Morocco in a bid to correct its trade imbalance, according to Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who shared the update via his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
In a strategic move to enhance regional trade, Kenya endorsed Morocco’s proposal to offer landlocked Sahel states access to global markets via Atlantic ports—a plan seen as vital for unlocking intra-African commerce and improving logistics in West Africa.
Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, welcomed Kenya’s support for the autonomy plan, describing the Western Sahara issue as Morocco’s “national cause” and saying Nairobi’s position would inject “new momentum” into the bilateral partnership.
