Algeria and Morocco are reshaping their roles on the African continent, pursuing divergent strategies in politics, security, and economics, with results varying across regions.
Morocco has increasingly focused on economic partnerships and cultural diplomacy. Its banks, insurance companies, and construction firms have expanded into several West and Central African nations, while royal visits, accompanied by bilateral agreements, have reinforced its presence.
“The training of foreign imams in the kingdom illustrates the use of soft power to strengthen cultural and religious ties,” analysts note. Since returning to the African Union in 2017, Rabat has also actively sought to influence decisions concerning Western Sahara.
Algeria, in contrast, relies primarily on security and political diplomacy, leveraging its historic role in the Non-Aligned Movement.
It maintains strong ties with South Africa, Namibia, and certain Sahelian states, positioning itself as a key mediator in regional crises.
Its involvement in Mali and ongoing counter-terrorism efforts form the backbone of its continental influence.
However, Algeria’s economic footprint remains more limited, concentrated largely on hydrocarbon exports and select energy interconnection projects.
Recent political developments in the Sahel, particularly the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA) encompassing Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, have weakened Algeria’s regional leverage.
“The suspension of its mediation in Mali and the rejection of its diplomatic initiative by Niamey highlight this sidelining,” experts say.
New authorities in the Sahel are prioritizing intra-regional cooperation and partnerships with other international actors, including Russia.
Morocco has capitalized on this shift, expanding ties with the ESA through initiatives focused on religious cooperation, university scholarships, and infrastructure projects.
While not directly engaged in regional security, Rabat’s strategy of combining economic and cultural engagement allows it to strengthen its network gradually without triggering open diplomatic tensions.
This contrasting approach underscores a broader transformation in Maghreb diplomacy: Morocco is leveraging flexibility and soft power to expand influence, whereas Algeria continues to rely on security-led engagement, facing challenges in adapting to new regional dynamics.
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