Rabat, Morocco (TMT)- The long-standing dream of connecting Europe and Africa through a tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar has never been more alive.
The idea has been around since 1869, but political obstacles have prevented it from happening. However, recent developments, such as the Spanish government allocating 750,000 euros for the Segecsa project to complete ongoing studies and the Moroccan government appointing a new director-general for the Societé Nationale d’Ètudes du Detroit de Gibraltar, suggest that the project will become a reality.
The site of the tunnel, located in the Strait of Gibraltar, is a critical transportation network between Europe and Africa. It is the only waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, separating Europe from the African continent.
Morocco and Spain have a robust trade relationship, with Spain being Morocco’s top trading partner. Bilateral trade between the two countries has reached 20 billion euros, with approximately 1,200 Spanish companies currently operating in Morocco. The trade exchange between the European Union and Africa has also been growing, reaching 225 billion euros in 2020, with the EU exporting around 124 billion euros worth of products to Africa. The joint bid by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal to host the World Cup 2030 reflects the improving relations between Morocco and Spain.
Economic experts in both countries believe that the tunnel project has immense potential, making it highly lucrative. The political obstacles of the past seem to be something of the past, giving optimism that work could begin as early as 2030, with the inauguration taking place less than ten years later. The tunnel is expected to have a significant impact on the economies of both countries, as well as both Europe and Africa, opening up new opportunities for trade and tourism.
The Moroccan Times.
