Moroccan direct investments in sub-Saharan Africa: Impact of migration flows and economic and cultural proximity[Les investissements directs marocains en Afrique subsaharienne : Impact des flux migratoires et des proximités économiques et culturelles]

In a context marked by the intensification of global economic and human flows, the interaction between migration and foreign direct investment (FDI) has attracted growing attention in economic research. Morocco, as a key actor on the African continent, stands out for its dual dynamic: its central role in migration issues and the expansion of its foreign direct investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. The originality of this study lies in the analysis of the link between the migratory flows of Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) and Moroccan FDI directed toward 18 Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2018–2023.The main research question is to determine the extent to which migratory networks contribute to stimulating Moroccan investment abroad, taking into account geographical distance and the level of economic development of partner countries. Methodologically, a panel data model was estimated using the random effects approach to identify the significant determinants of Moroccan FDI flows.Empirical results confirm the catalytic role of migration flows in facilitating investment, suggesting that the Moroccan diaspora acts as a vector of trust, market knowledge, and reduction of information asymmetries. Geographical distance and the host country's GDP also emerge as key explanatory variables.These findings highlight the strategic importance of Moroccan migrant networks as a lever for enhancing the attractiveness and security of investments in Sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the need to further integrate the migratory dimension into foreign direct investment (FDI) internationalization policies and South–South economic cooperation strategies.