Chafika El Habti, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Miami, is an accomplished Diplomat and Minister Plenipotentiary. She began her assignment in Miami in January 2024. Before that, she served as Consul General in Orleans-France, Director of Public Diplomacy and Non-State Actors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and she is a Founding member of the Moroccan organization “the Ombudsman for Democracy and Human Rights (DDH Mediator).

 

What made Miami the ideal location for the Consulate of Morocco?

Miami is a fantastic city! A little paradise, of course but it’s the city’s geography that truly stands out. Miami is a strategic hub, connecting the Caribbean, Latin America, and North America, and its economy reflects that, along with its cultural diversity. People come to Miami because they are ambitious and driven to achieve great things, and that energy aligns perfectly with Morocco’s own spirit of innovation and progress.

Miami residents love life, they work hard, enjoy dancing, and savor great food. That resonates with Moroccan culture. Both Moroccans and Miamians are entrepreneurial, and I believe these shared values will create strong synergies. My goal is to connect these dynamic people with Morocco, and I’m confident we can achieve great things together.

What is the primary mission of the Consulate, and how will you, as the Consul General, strengthen Morocco’s influence in the region?

Rather than focusing on influence, I prefer to think in terms of connections. My mission is to strengthen the historic ties between Morocco and the United States, dating back to Morocco being one of the first countries to recognize U.S. sovereignty.

My role is to enhance these connections on multiple fronts business, cultural, and political. I have several strategies in mind to achieve this, from providing top-tier services to Moroccans living in Miami and the southern U.S., to raising awareness of the vast business opportunities available in Morocco. Ultimately, my mission is about building relationships that will benefit both our countries and our people.

How will Morocco leverage its free trade agreement with the U.S. and its role as the Country of Honor at the 2024 Americas Food and Beverage Show to improve trade between the two markets?

Morocco is the only African nation with a free trade agreement with the U.S., and we are also a key player in the African Continental Free Trade Area, which represents a market of over 1.2 billion consumers. This makes Morocco the true ‘Gateway to Africa’ for U.S. companies seeking access to this vast market.

As the Country of Honor at the 2024 Americas Food and Beverage Show, this is an opportunity to introduce more Americans to the high-quality Moroccan goods. Moroccan food is sadly quite hard to find on this side of the Atlantic. Hence, showcasing Moroccan produce, such as tomatoes and fish, which are incredibly popular in the European markets, can help Americans discover some of the Moroccan delicacies I haven’t found on sale here. If anyone knows where I can get good ‘Amlou’ in America, I really want to hear from them!

Are there specific sectors or products with high trade growth potential between Morocco and the U.S., especially considering Royal Air Maroc’s direct flights?

Royal Air Maroc offers the only direct passenger flight linking Miami to Africa, providing a major advantage for promoting business and cultural exchange between the regions. The Miami to Casablanca flight takes just 8 hours—only 2 hours longer than flying from Miami to San Francisco. This accessibility creates new opportunities, not only for tourism but also for business professionals seeking to pursue ventures, build connections, and create value.

We’ve already seen significant partnerships emerge: Tesla has chosen Morocco to produce its main transmitters, and Boeing’s investment in Morocco is generating over $1 billion annually. Sustainable energy is another promising sector because Morocco is home to the Noor Power Plant – one of the world’s largest solar farms. Our automotive industry has also positioned Morocco as Africa’s leading exporter of automobiles.

If you could choose one Moroccan product to charm the people of Miami, what would it be?

There are several products that could capture the attention of Miami residents, including our cuisine and the traditional hammam experience.

However, if I had to choose just one, it would be argan oil. It’s a remarkable product that appeals to two areas of great importance to both Morocco and Miami: food and beauty. Made through a labor-intensive process from nuts that grow almost exclusively in Morocco, argan oil is a prized ingredient in many health and beauty products. In its pure form, it’s wonderful for both skin and hair. I believe argan oil, with its dual benefits of enhancing beauty and enriching cuisine, would be a perfect fit here.