Bern: The Embassy of Morocco in Switzerland took part in the Africa Day celebration held this week in Bern, an event highlighting the diversity and unity of the African continent while showcasing the richness of Morocco’s cultural heritage.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the event was organized at a luxury hotel in the Swiss capital in collaboration with African embassies accredited to the Swiss Confederation. It provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the Kingdom’s African identity and promote continental unity. The gathering brought together representatives of the Swiss federal authorities, including Ambassador Philipp Stalder, Head of the Sub-Saharan Africa and Francophonie Division at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, along with African ambassadors accredited in Bern, among them Morocco’s ambassador, Lahcen Azoulay.

The celebration highlighted initiatives launched by Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, in support of African countries. The event also showcased Moroc
can culture through two stands set up by the Kingdom’s embassy, featuring handicraft products illustrating the Moroccan art of living. Moroccan cuisine was a focal point, with iconic dishes from the country’s gastronomy and the traditional tea ceremony.

The Moroccan stands were further enhanced by Moroccan music and promotional videos highlighting Morocco as a tourist destination. Speaking on the occasion, Stalder called for a renewed perspective on Africa, emphasizing the continent’s opportunities, dynamism, and ambition. He highlighted the energy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of many African nations, as well as the continent’s growing influence in global transformations.

Cameroon’s ambassador to Switzerland, Léonard Henri Bindzi, dean of the African diplomatic corps accredited in Bern, described Africa as ‘the continent of the future,’ pointing to its market of 1.2 billion people, natural resources, and dynamic youth population. He urged African countries and their partners to leverage these ass
ets through the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, aimed at boosting intra-African trade and generating economic benefits.

Bindzi also encouraged Swiss investors to explore economic opportunities in Africa and advocated for stronger bilateral and academic exchanges, highlighting the role of the African diaspora in Switzerland as a bridge between the two regions.