The 7th session of the Bénin-Morocco Joint Cooperation Commission convened in Cotonou on July 21, 2026, at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The high-level meeting resulted in the signing of 14 cooperation agreements across key sectors, underscoring the robust and expanding ties between the two nations.

Co-chaired by Corinne Amori Brunet, Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for the Integration of Afrodescendants, and Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, the session highlighted significant achievements in bilateral relations. Bourita praised Benin’s democratic maturity and economic performance, positioning the country among emerging nations. He emphasized the importance of aligning the partnership with national priorities to maximize impact, advocating for greater private sector involvement to stimulate economic exchanges, attract investments, and support sustainable development. The shared vision aims to make Benin-Morocco cooperation a model of inter-African solidarity, sharing, and sustainable growth.

Addressing regional security challenges, Bourita reaffirmed Morocco’s full solidarity with Benin and called for collective action to promote a tolerant Islam. Hugues Oscar Lokossou, Benin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, stressed the need to elevate cooperation to strategic levels across priority areas, noting that current trade exchanges fall short of expectations. He highlighted sectors where Moroccan and Beninese expertise could synergize, urging the creation of a shared prosperity space by pooling resources and efforts.

Corinne Amori Brunet echoed the call for deeper collaboration in strategic domains such as economy, trade, industry, investment, tourism, agriculture, justice, security, vocational training, higher education, scientific research, health, digital technology, and culture.

Fourteen landmark agreements signed

The landmark session concluded with the official signing of 14 cooperation agreements, covering:

• Mutual administrative assistance in customs matters
• Framework cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and innovation
• Judicial mutual assistance in criminal matters
• Extradition convention
• Transfer of sentenced persons convention
• Justice sector action plan
• Security cooperation agreement
• Financial modalities protocol for civil protection cooperation
• Food safety cooperation protocol
• Vocational training cooperation framework
• Framework agreement on scholarships, internships, and expertise sharing
• Sports and training cooperation memorandum of understanding
• Tourism promotion and development partnership convention
• Environment and sustainable development cooperation memorandum of understanding