United States President Donald Trump revealed on Monday, July 28th, 2026, via his Truth Social platform that Morocco had named the Tiznit-Dakhla highway after him. He thanked Morocco’s monarch, King Mohammed VI, and expressed his anticipation of traveling on the “Great Highway one day.”

The highway stretches from Tiznit through Guelmim and Tan-Tan to Laayoune, the main city in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara, and continues south to the Dakhla Peninsula, where Morocco is developing the Dakhla Atlantic Port.

Morocco has not officially confirmed the naming, and the announcement surprised many observers. Analysts suggest the tribute to Trump is linked to Morocco’s broader ambitions, including hosting the football final of the 2030 World Cup, which will be cohosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Fakir, an expert cited by Al Jazeera, stated, “In my opinion, this is tied to Morocco’s ambitions to host the football final of the 2030 World Cup.”

The highway is significant for Morocco’s economic and geopolitical interests. Between 2004 and 2024, African exports through Morocco increased from $300 million to $3 billion, according to the German think tank Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

The region remains disputed. Morocco claims the phosphate- and fisheries-rich former Spanish colony of Western Sahara. The Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) after Spain withdrew in 1975, continues to seek independence. About 2 million tonnes of phosphate rock were mined in Western Sahara in 2025, according to WSRW.

Tensions persist, as in November 2020, the Polisario Front ended the 1991 ceasefire and resumed armed struggle against Morocco, continuing to push for a referendum on self-determination.

This highway naming reflects Morocco’s ongoing efforts to consolidate control over Western Sahara and enhance its regional influence.

Sources