02 MOROCCO-NIGERIA RELATIONS: ENHANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

MOROCCO-NIGERIA RELATIONS: ENHANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT The Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI) and OCPPC Policy Center are jointly launching the first edition of the “Morocco-Nigeria Strategic Dialogues: Enhancing Opportunities for Growth and Development”. The initiative aims to implement a platform for dialogue on topics related to economic development of African countries, partnerships in the energy sector, the mobilization of financial resources and the role of youth. The ‘’Morocco-Nigeria Strategic Dialogues’’ will constitute an opportunity to further explore the inputs of Morocco and Nigeria, as two strategic players within the African continent. The partnership between the NESG, AEDPI and OCPPC plays a pivotal role in bridging the two countries, and places these institutions as catalyzers of ideas and knowledge related to Morocco and Nigeria. Morocco and Nigeria, as emerging countries, have considerable leverage in multiple sectors such as energy. In 2016, both countries have brokered a deal on the construction of a gas pipeline from Nigeria to Morocco. Nigeria remains one of the leading producers of oil and gas in Africa while Morocco has developed an increasingly robust expertise in renewable energy. This first edition will be an opportunity to discuss key issues and challenges faced by Morocco and Nigeria on the economic front, in order to deliver creative and edge-cutting solutions for cooperation and partnership in terms of growth and development. The event will also constitute a forum for a better understanding of the sectoral similarities and commentaries, and a platform, for stakeholders, that would facilitate experience-sharing on respective lessons learned and good practices. The cycle is composed of two seminars: the first one taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, and the second one in Rabat, Morocco. The conferences will be held, respectively, over one day, and will be addressing a number of issues of interest relating to economy and development of to the two countries. The panels will vary from keynote speakers highlighting experience sharing and expertise, to policy panels. This first edition will explore the commonalities existing between Morocco and Nigeria, such as the role of energy in sustainable development, the possible contributions of financial markets with regards to mobilizing local resources, as well as the role and importance of the Moroccan and Nigerian diasporas. • 9:15- 9:30 OPENING ADDRESS /AGENDA SETTING • 9:45-11:05 PANEL I: FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICIES IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY • 11:25-12:45 PANEL II: ENERGY POLICIES: WHAT ARE THE COMMENTARIES BETWEEN NIGERIA AND MOROCCO? • 14:00 –15:20 PANEL III: Mobilizing local resources: The role of financial markets • 15:40 –17:00 PANEL IV: How to tap into the potential of youth and diaspora at the regional and continental levels?