Morocco's Arrabet and Skaleet partner for a new neo-bank offering in Africa  (Read more...)

Morocco set to launch tenders for first phases of Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project

Morocco is preparing to launch tenders for the construction of the first phases of the gas pipeline project with Nigeria within the next year, according to a report by Asharq Business based on the «2025 Action Plan» issued by the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM). The project will stretch across 16 African countries—mostly along the Atlantic coast—connecting Nigeria to Morocco, where the pipeline will be linked to the Moroccan-European gas network and

MP Industry inaugurates first Moroccan factory with a 437.62 million dirham investment

The first factory of MP Industry, a subsidiary of MEN Industry Group specializing in manufacturing plastic components for the automotive industry in Romania, was inaugurated on Friday at Automotive City, part of the Tanger Med Industrial Platform (TMZ). The inauguration ceremony was led by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, with the participation of TMZ Director General Ahmed Bennis; President and CEO of Metaplast and MP Industry, Jean Drugescu; General Manager of MP Industry in

Chinese President Xi Jinping concludes brief visit to Morocco

Chinese President Xi Jinping departed from Morocco's Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca on Friday afternoon following a brief visit to the Kingdom. At the airport, President Xi was seen off by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch. The Chinese leader also reviewed a detachment of Morocco's Royal Navy that rendered honors during the farewell ceremony. The President was further bid farewell by Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region and Governor of Casablanca Prefecture Mohamed Mhidia,

European Commission still analyzing CJEU rulings on Morocco-EU deals

The European Commission «continues to analyze» the European Court of Justice's rulings of October 4, which excluded the Sahara from the agricultural and fisheries agreements concluded in 2019 between Morocco and the EU. The announcement was made by a member of the European Commission at a meeting of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, in response to MEPs who called for a total revision of the association agreement with the kingdom, according to an Iberian media

Spain : PSOE's 41st congress ignores Polisario

Spanish Socialist Workers' Party is holding its 41st congress on November 29 and 30. The PSOE leadership has presented delegates with a 171-page document addressing national and international issues, titled «Spain 2030: Socialism Moving Forward, a Leading Spain», which includes a set of recommendations. The document, reviewed by Yabiladi, notably omits any mention of the Western Sahara issue, drawing criticism from Spanish media aligned with the Polisario. These outlets have urged

Morocco's CMGP Group to launch initial public offering on Casablanca Stock Exchange

CMGP Group, a Moroccan company focused on agriculture and water infrastructure, has been authorized to launch an initial public offering on the Casablanca Stock Exchange, the Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC) said on Friday. The company, which operates in both Morocco and Africa, plans to raise 1.1 billion dirhams ($110 million) through this offering, reads a statement by AMMC. The company envisions a capital increase and a share sale, with the issuance of 1,500,000 new shares.

Morocco's RAM and GOL partner to enhance Africa-Latin America connectivity

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and GOL Linhas Aéreas, Brazil's leading airline, have formalized a code-share agreement, strengthening their respective networks in Africa and Latin America. This agreement will enable passengers to benefit from increased connectivity between Morocco and Brazil. Direct flights between Casablanca and São Paulo, operated three times a week by RAM with Boeing 787 Dreamliners, will form the backbone of this collaboration. GOL customers will have access to 20

BIM opens new logistics platform in Marrakech, announces 1 billion dirham investment

Turkish hard discount retailer BIM, a key player in Morocco's mass retail sector, has opened its fourth logistics platform in the Kingdom, in Marrakech. The event, marked by the presence of Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Haluk Dortluoğlu, CEO of the BIM Group, illustrates the brand's determination to strengthen its strategic foothold in Morocco. With an investment of 150 million dirhams, this 16,000 m² infrastructure located in the Marrakech-Safi region aims to meet

Morocco : Ryanair flights diverted due to wind gusts at Nantes Airport

A Ryanair flight was forced to divert to Morocco on Thursday due to strong wind gusts at Nantes Airport in France. Flight #FR6969, initially scheduled to connect Agadir to Nantes, was unable to land at the intended destination. The flight returned to Agadir, completing nearly four hours in the air, AirLive reports. Earlier the same day, Ryanair flight #FR3982 from Agadir was also diverted, landing in Marseille instead, due to storm Caetano affecting the Atlantic coast. Other flights

Morocco fines Viatris 7.58 million dirhams over Mylan-Pfizer merger

American global pharmaceutical and healthcare corporation Viatris Inc. has been fined 7.58 million dirhams (approximately $760,000) by Morocco's competition regulator for failing to notify it regarding its merger, two official sources told Reuters on Thursday. The fine relates to the 2020 merger between Mylan, which has a subsidiary in Morocco, and Pfizer's Upjohn division, forming Viatris. Amounting to 2.5% of the company’s sales in Morocco for the previous year, the fine has already

Four minors sentenced to three years in prison for harassing girl in Tangier

A Tangier court, in a closed session on Thursday, sentenced four defendants to prison for harassing a girl on the Tangier Corniche. Each of the four defendants received a three-year prison sentence, as reported by al3omk news site. The defendants were charged with violently assaulting the victim, participating in the act, and drug consumption. Two additional suspects were prosecuted for their involvement in the assault. The case dates back to September when a video circulated on social media

Morocco and Spain dismantle Daesh-linked terrorist cell in joint operation

In a joint and coordinated security operation, Moroccan and Spanish authorities successfully dismantled a Daesh-affiliated terrorist cell operating in the Sahel region. The operation, conducted on Friday by Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), affiliated with the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), and the General Intelligence Directorate of the Spanish National Police, resulted in the arrest of nine individuals. Three were apprehended in Tetouan and

Was Algerian writer Boualem Sansal arrested over Eastern Sahara and Polisario remarks ?

After six days without contact, alarming news emerged this Thursday in France regarding French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, aged 75. Sansal, known for his criticism of the Algerian regime, has been reported missing since arriving at Algiers airport on Saturday, November 16. According to Le Point, he was allegedly arrested by Algerian police upon his return from Paris. Le Figaro reported that French President Emmanuel Macron is «deeply concerned» and closely monitoring the

Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan receives Chinese President Xi Jinping in Casablanca

Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan received the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, on Thursday evening in Casablanca during a brief visit to the Kingdom. Upon his arrival at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, the Chinese Head of State was welcomed by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. Following this, Xi Jinping was greeted by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, before inspecting a detachment of the Royal Guard in a formal ceremony. The Crown Prince and the

Achraf Hakimi extends PSG contract until 2029

Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi has decided to extend his stay with the French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain. The 26-year-old, who also plays as a right winger for the Moroccan national football team, has signed an extension with the French team for an additional three seasons, keeping him at the club until 2029, French sports newspaper L’Équipe reported on Thursday. Hakimi initially joined PSG in the summer of 2021 on a five-year contract. This season, he has made 13

Radio station in France closed after «diplomatic incident» involving Moroccan MP

The Bordo FM radio studios in Saint-Médard-en-Galais, near Bordeaux, have been temporarily closed due to an unusual «diplomatic incident» involving a Moroccan MP who was a guest on a radio program. A rat emerged from the attic and «fell on the head of a Moroccan MP (...) and a ministerial delegate for youth from the Moroccan government» the radio station said in a press release. Following this unprecedented event, Bordo FM's head office was temporarily closed for

Algeria : Commander of border with Morocco region appointed army chief

In his role as Minister Delegate to the Minister of Defense, General Said Chengriha has introduced several changes to the hierarchy of the Algerian army. On Thursday, November 21, he appointed Major General Moustapha Smaili, formerly in charge of the 3rd Military Region based in Tindouf near the Moroccan border, as head of the army. Smaili, who oversaw the Polisario camps, shares a background with Chengriha, who also led the 3rd Military Region for many years and developed close ties with

Brazil : President Lula's party supports Sahara autonomy plan

Is Brazil's ruling Workers' Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores) shifting its stance on the Polisario? Recent developments in relations between Brasília and Rabat suggest so. «The autonomy plan for the Sahara presented by Morocco is based on the principles of dialogue and international law and should contribute to the well-being of the populations concerned», Romenio Pereira, the Workers' Party (PT) international relations secretary, told MAP. «I think Brazil should offer