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RABAT - The 2023 Market Days Event of the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) kicked off on Wednesday in Marrakech, Morocco.

Held under the theme of "Unlocking Africa's Value Chains," the forum's opening session was marked by an address by Moroccan King Mohammed VI.

In his address, the king said the African continent is "facing complex economic challenges exacerbated by geopolitical tensions beyond African borders," adding that climate change, rising interest rates, and a persistent inflationary spiral have all posed challenges to the African economy.

Stressing that Morocco has been calling for enhanced inter-African coordination and cooperation mechanisms with a view to achieving regional economic integration, he also urged African countries to set the development of infrastructure a top priority.

The three-day event, gathering nearly 600 high-level participants, including heads of state, decision-makers, multinationals and investors, aims to foster vital partnerships to provide investors with opportunities in an era of transformation for the continent.

Since launched in 2018, the AIF has mobilized nearly 143 billion U.S. dollars in investment interest.