Morocco’s state-owned phosphate giant OCP Group has transformed from a domestic mining company into Africa’s agricultural lifeline. It now wields unprecedented influence across the continent while reshaping Morocco’s diplomatic relationships, writes Ziyad Chaouki.
In the early 2000s, King Mohammed VI embarked on his African tours accompanied by an unlikely diplomatic envoy: Mostafa Terrab, CEO of OCP Group. Morocco was quietly orchestrating what experts now call “phosphate diplomacy” and using the country’s vast mineral wealth to forge new alliances across Africa.
Morocco controls 70 per cent of the world’s phosphate reserves, the key ingredient in fertilisers that Africa desperately needs. With 60 per cent of the world’s arable land but persistent food insecurity, Africa presents both a moral imperative and a strategic opportunity for OCP’s expansion.
From 2008 to 2015, two-thirds of Morocco’s foreign direct investment flowed into African countries, totalling £1.6 billion. OCP’s African operations have grown from virtually nothing to commanding a 54 per cent market share across the continent.
Building soft power
OCP’s approach differs markedly from other extractive companies. Rather than simply selling phosphates, the company has developed what it calls “African solutions to African problems.” This means customising fertiliser blends for specific soil conditions, training farmers in sustainable practices, and establishing local subsidiaries that employ African nationals.
The OCP Foundation, established in 2007, extends this soft power approach through education and community development programs. The foundation has created fertilisation maps in six countries and reached over 4 million farmers continent-wide. During the Covid-19 pandemic, OCP subsidiaries in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Madagascar, and Togo pivoted to manufacturing prevention equipment, producing 27,000 face masks and thousands of sanitisation kits.
This comprehensive approach has yielded diplomatic dividends. Morocco’s return to the African Union in 2017 after a 33-year absence was facilitated partly by the goodwill generated through OCP’s agricultural partnerships. Countries that once viewed Morocco with suspicion now see it as a development partner.
The Ethiopia model
OCP’s £2.6 billion fertiliser plant in Ethiopia exemplifies this new model of economic diplomacy. Rather than a purely commercial venture, the project represents a strategic partnership where Morocco provides phosphate expertise and financing while Ethiopia contributes potash, gas, and public investment.
The plant’s 3.8 million ton annual capacity makes it a flagship project for the continent, demonstrating Morocco’s commitment to African agricultural self-sufficiency. Similar partnerships have emerged across West and East Africa, from Senegal to Tanzania, each tailored to local needs and political dynamics.
Navigating political complexities
OCP’s expansion hasn’t been without challenges. The company operates in a complex political environment where commercial interests intersect with geopolitical tensions. Algeria’s opposition to Morocco’s Western Sahara claims creates barriers in North Africa, while South Africa’s stance on the same issue complicates potential partnerships in Southern Africa.
Yet sentiment analysis of African media coverage from 2000 to 2024 reveals predominantly positive or neutral perceptions of OCP’s activities. Even in countries with political tensions, OCP’s agricultural contributions often transcend diplomatic disagreements. Kenya, despite past fertiliser quality disputes, maintains largely positive views of OCP’s agricultural impact.
Environmental and social responsibility
Critics raise legitimate concerns about phosphate mining’s environmental impact, particularly water consumption and pollution from processing facilities. OCP has responded by committing to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and investing heavily in green hydrogen and ammonia production.
The company’s £9.6 billion Green Investment Strategy for 2023-2027 aims to make OCP a leader in sustainable fertilizer production. This transition isn’t just environmental necessity – it’s strategic positioning as global food security becomes increasingly critical.
The future of phosphate diplomacy
Morocco’s phosphate advantage extends far beyond current operations. While China’s reserves may last until 2058 and the United States’ until 2062, at current rates of production Morocco’s deposits could last for over 1,300 years. This gives Morocco unprecedented leverage in global food security discussions.
OCP’s success has created a template for other resource-rich African nations seeking to leverage natural wealth for diplomatic influence. The company’s approach of combining commercial interests with development goals offers a model for South-South cooperation that transcends traditional aid relationships.
OCP Group’s transformation from a domestic mining company to Africa’s agricultural powerhouse represents a new form of economic diplomacy. By positioning itself as an essential partner in Africa’s food security, Morocco has fundamentally altered its continental relationships.
The company’s success demonstrates how resource-rich countries can use their natural endowments not just for economic gain, but as tools of soft power and diplomatic influence. As global food insecurity worsens and climate change threatens agricultural productivity, Morocco’s phosphate diplomacy may prove increasingly valuable – not just for the kingdom’s international standing, but for Africa’s agricultural future.
Whether OCP can maintain this influence while addressing environmental concerns and political complexities will determine not just the company’s success, but Morocco’s role as a continental power in the decades ahead.
Photo credit: Press photo OCP
