World Bank funds $250m to boost Morocco’s climate-smart agrifood sector

The World Bank's Board of Directors has approved $250 million in financing for Morocco's Agri-Food Systems Transformation Program. The initiative seeks to enhance the agrifood sector's resilience to climate challenges while improving food safety and quality. Contributing 16% of GDP and 19% of Moroccan exports in 2023, the agrifood sector is a cornerstone of the national economy. It accounts for 67% of rural employment and 36% of total jobs, including 30% in primary agriculture and 6% in

In Morocco, more women master Arabic, French, and English than men

More women can read and write Arabic, French, and English than men in Morocco. This trend spans all of the Kingdom's regions, encompassing both urban and rural areas, according to the 2024 General Census.

An Israelite Alliance virtual museum shares photos of a 1950s Hanukkah gathering in Morocco

Photos of a 1950s Hanukkah gathering in Morocco are part of a virtual museum created by the Paris-based Jewish education organization Universal Israelite Alliance. The virtual museum, which also includes photos of a schoolyard in Iran, aims to show how Jewish communities lived decades ago in North Africa, the Balkans, Asia, and the Mediterranean, wrote the Times of Israel on Thursday. «The museum is a national treasure of culture and tradition and a living bridge between

UN warns of gap in primary school enrollment between poor and rich children in Morocco

A UN report highlights significant education gaps in Morocco, with lower primary school enrollment rates among children from poor families compared to rich families and rural areas compared to urban areas. Despite these disparities, Morocco has made notable progress in closing the gender gap in education. 

Mauritanian President visits Rabat post-Tebboune's Nouakchott trip

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani left Nouakchott this evening, bound for Rabat on a private visit, according to a brief statement from the Minister in charge of the Office of the President of the Republic, Nani Ould Achrouga. This visit comes just a few days after Abdelmadjid Tebboune's visit to Nouakchott, which marked the first visit by an Algerian president to Mauritania in 37 years. Algeria has been trying for some time to rally Mauritania to isolate Morocco from its

High-ranking officials face prison as court of cassation rejects Saadi Casino appeal

The Court of Cassation has dismissed the appeal lodged by defendants in the high-profile Saadi Casino case in Marrakech. This decision upholds the earlier verdict by the Criminal Appeals Chamber for financial crimes at the Marrakech Court of Appeal, which confirmed the ruling of the Primary Criminal Chamber. The case traces back to the tenure of Istiqlal leader Abdellatif Abdouh as chairman of the Menara Gueliz Municipality in Marrakech from 1997 to 2003. In 2001, Abdouh controversially

Morocco denies extradition of Egyptian opposition leader

The Court of Cassation, a high-instance court in Morocco, decided on Tuesday, December 17, to release Egyptian doctor Abdel Basset El-Imam and return his passport after his arrest at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca. Moroccan authorities had arrested Abdel Basset El-Imam, who also holds Turkish citizenship, at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca on November 3, following an extradition request from the Egyptian authorities. Human rights organizations had previously indicated that the Egyptian

How many Moroccans consider Tamazight their mother tongue, and where do they live ?

Which Moroccan regions have the highest numbers of Amazigh native speakers among their populations, and where do Arabic (Darija) and Tamazight dominate ? Yabiladi analyzes the linguistic landscape of Morocco based on data from the 2024 General Census.

Morocco-Qatar 2024 : Tbourida showcases equestrian art in Doha

As the closing event of the Morocco – Qatar 2024 Cultural Year, a Tbourida show was organized on Tuesday, December 17, at the Al Shaqab Equestrian Center in Doha. This demonstration featured the participation of five troupes and 65 riders from different regions of the country, thus embodying the richness of local traditions. Presided over by Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Sheikha Sara Bint Hamad Al Thani, the event indeed highlighted the national equestrian art, thanks to the Royal Society of

Morocco extradites suspect in 2021 bombing to Israel

A man suspected of planting a bomb that exploded at the Israeli Health Ministry in 2021 was extradited on Monday, December 16, from Morocco, where he had been arrested and detained, the Israeli State Attorney’s Office said. According to the Jerusalem Post, Nassim Kabilat is suspected of being behind the bombing that took place in Nazareth, northern Israel, in November 2021. According to an indictment, he was charged with detonating, via remote control, an explosive device he had placed