Africa Eco Race to cross Morocco's southern provinces in January
The 18th edition of the rally will start in Tangier and pass through Laayoune and Dakhla before entering Mauritania, following past disruptions.
Organizers of the Africa Eco Race have announced the route for the rally's 18th edition, scheduled to begin on January 24, 2027. Competitors will travel from Tangier through several Moroccan cities, including Meknes, Erfoud, M’Hamid, Assa, Laayoune, and Dakhla, before crossing into Mauritania at Guerguerat. The race, which combines off-road racing with long-distance navigation, will conclude on February 6 near Dakar, Senegal. Organizers are planning to enhance logistical and safety measures along the route.
The passage through Morocco's southern provinces has previously faced objections from the Polisario Front. In 2020, demonstrators briefly obstructed the rally at Guerguerat, though participants were allowed to continue. This incident occurred before a wider blockade of the road later that year. The movement had previously warned organizers about risks in the Sahara, but the 2022 rally proceeded without reported security issues.
The Africa Eco Race, created in 2009, revived the traditional African route for the rally after the Dakar Rally relocated. Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal have been key locations for the competition. The 2021 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and severe weather conditions led to the cancellation of the opening stages in January 2026. Tangier will host the start for the second consecutive year in 2027.
Why it mattersCompetitors in the Africa Eco Race will navigate through Morocco's southern provinces, facing potential route disruptions and security considerations.