AfCFTA Integration: The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic’s National Council hosted a lecture on the African Continental Free Trade Area, detailing how the country ratified AfCFTA on April 29, 2019 and how its “profile document” approved in 2025 is meant to spotlight economic and investment opportunities to strengthen trade ties across Africa. State Land for Investment: Morocco’s Direction des Domaines de l’Etat says it approved 308 projects on about 32,000 hectares of public land in 2025, targeting roughly 71 billion dirhams in investment and 16,333 jobs, with a big share in southern regions like Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab and major allocations to energy and agro-industry. Water Infrastructure & Industry: Morocco’s push for desalination is framed as a long-term answer to drought and “water bankruptcy,” with plans to draw on the Atlantic to secure drinking water and irrigation—an industrial shift with direct implications for coastal farming and supply chains. Logistics & Crossings: Operation Marhaba (June 10 to September 15) is set to move nearly 3.5 million travellers and about 900,000 vehicles across the Strait of Gibraltar, with ports, routes, and shipping coordination central to keeping the summer flow running. Security & Trade Risks: A major cocaine route is linked to Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers, with Spain intercepting a record 30+ tonnes off Western Sahara—raising pressure on maritime logistics and enforcement across West Africa–Europe corridors. Mining Tensions: A Mauritanian artisanal miners’ coalition denied claims that a Moroccan drone strike targeted Mauritanian prospectors near Akleibat El Foula, warning that misinformation could inflame relations and disrupt livelihoods.