Marsa Maroc Expands African Presence with New Subsidiaries in Djibouti and Benin

Doha – Morocco’s leading port operator Marsa Maroc is set to strengthen its position in African logistics through the establishment of three new international subsidiaries, according to the government authorization published in the Official Gazette.

The expansion strategy centers on the creation of Marsa Maroc International Logistics, capitalized at MAD 300 million ($30 million), which will oversee the company’s international investment projects.

This parent entity will manage two specialized subsidiaries: Marsa Djibouti and Marsa Benin.

In East Africa, Marsa Djibouti will acquire a stake in Damerjog Oil Jetty FZE, responsible for developing and managing a petroleum terminal in Djibouti’s free zone.

The strategic location aims to capture significant logistics flows related to petroleum products storage and reloading, particularly targeting the Ethiopian and Djiboutian markets.

Meanwhile, Marsa Benin will operate terminals 1 and 5 at the Port of Cotonou following a management agreement with Benin Manutentions SA.

This strategic position on the Atlantic coast will enable Marsa Maroc to access key West African markets including Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

The expansion builds on Marsa Maroc’s strong domestic presence, where it currently manages 25 terminals across 11 ports in Morocco, including the strategic Tanger Med 1 and Casablanca facilities.

The company’s domestic operations are set to grow further with its recent agreement to operate a container terminal at Morocco’s Nador West Med port, which will have a capacity exceeding three million twenty-foot equivalent units and is expected to begin operations in mid-2026.

The company’s financial performance reflects its strong market position, with profits reaching MAD 852 million ($85.2 million) in the previous year, marking a 5% annual increase.

To support its expansion, Marsa Maroc recently secured MAD 690 million ($69 million) in funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to increase its terminal capacity.

The port operator, which is 25% state-owned and counts Tanger Med Port as a 35% shareholder, continues to demonstrate its commitment to expanding its African footprint.

The establishment of these new subsidiaries, each capitalized at MAD 300,000 ($30,000), marks a significant step in Marsa Maroc’s continental growth strategy.

“From a strategic perspective, the creation of these subsidiaries aligns with Marsa Maroc’s roadmap to become a key player in port infrastructure management and logistics services across the African continent,” reported Les Inspirations Éco in its January 6 edition.

The strategy emphasizes portfolio diversification while fostering synergies with local partners.

The expansion plan reflects Marsa Maroc’s growing role in African logistics, with the company already exploring additional growth opportunities through public-private partnerships for port management in other African countries.